Procedure 801.1.1

1.0

Initiation

1.1

The Initiator of a search will be the President, or appropriate executive as designated by the President.

2.0

Formation of the Search Committee

2.1

This procedure varies automatically for the following positions: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Research, and Vice President for Student Affairs. For other executive vacancies, the Initiator and the Senate President must meet to determine if it is necessary to implement this procedure. They should also determine what sort of professional training and knowledge would constitute an appropriate committee for all searches.

2.2

The search committee can consist of up to 10 persons. The Initiator will request that the Senate selects up to four members, to include both faculty and staff, from the Senate constituency of which the Senate Executive Committee will decide on the selection method. The Initiator will select up to four other persons. One representative each from the undergraduate and graduate students may be selected if deemed appropriate for the purposes of the search.

2.3

The Initiator will ask the offices of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX to each designate a representative to serve without a vote.

2.4

It is the responsibility of the search committee to read the Confidentiality Statement provided by Human Resources prior to any search related activities begin.  All committee members must sign the confidentiality statement and the committee chair must send the completed statement to Human Resources.

2.5

Full and open disclosure of potential conflicts of interest concerning committee members and/or applicants is expected. See Board of Trustees Conflict of Interest policy 4.7.

3.0

Meetings

3.1

No committee member can be an applicant.

3.2

The Initiator will call the first meeting of the Committee, and will deliver the charge to the Committee. The Initiator will communicate the guidelines for the search process including staffing and the budget for advertising and interviewing.

3.3

The Initiator will supervise the election of a chair and associate chair by written ballot, in closed session, at the first meeting. During the first meeting the Initiator will specify the responsibilities of these individuals.

3.4

The Initiator and the Committee will agree on a target date for selection of the candidate and on other timelines of the search.

3.5

The Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Officer and the Human Resources representative or other designated persons will provide an orientation for the Search Committee at the outset of the search, will ensure all search committee members have completed the required search committee training, and will be available thereafter for any needed consultation. The Committee should discuss the legal issues involved in record keeping and be informed of their legal responsibilities and liabilities. Notes must be relinquished to Human Resources at the end of the search. Human Resources will retain all information for the length of time required to ensure compliance with relevant State and Federal laws and University policies. All procedures must comply with applicable University policies, procedures, and Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX practices to ensure equal opportunity to all candidates.

3.6

The representative from Human Resources will assist the Committee with its tasks of organizing paperwork, documenting activities, advertising the position, and following guidelines for the search and screening processes.

3.7

Searches will proceed under the principle of openness. Committee meetings will be open to members of the University community unless a closed meeting is necessary to maintain confidentiality.

4.0

Goals

4.1

In order to select appropriate candidates, the Search Committee must consider the goals, the mission, and the vision that have been published for the University and the unit(s) to be administered.

5.0

Position description and list of qualifications and attributes

5.1

The Initiator, with input from the Search Committee, from Human Resources, from appropriate administrators, will draft a position description (e.g., qualifications, duties, expected achievements, etc.) that is consonant with published goals.

5.2

The draft position description and list of required and desired qualifications and essential duties and attributes will be posted electronically. Faculty, staff, and students will be invited to send comments to the Committee.

5.3

The Initiator will consider the comments, and then write a final job description. The final version will be posted electronically and submitted for publication in Tech Today and The Lode. It will also be sent to all applicants.

6.0

Mechanism for identifying candidates

 6.1

At the discretion of the Initiator, the search may be conducted using the services of a search firm or consultants. Human Resources, Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX, and the Search Committee will direct the efforts of the firm or consultants.

6.2 

To ensure a diverse, well-qualified applicant pool that meets EEO requirements, the Committee should solicit applicants according to procedure established by the Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Office and work with the Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Officer. The Committee will screen applicants according to the job description qualifications.

 6.3

As the search progresses, deviations from the budgetary guidelines must be approved by the Initiator.

7.0

Semifinalist candidates

7.1

The Committee, after reviewing vitae, reference letters, other relevant material, the results of any screening interviews, and the advice of the Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Officer, will produce a short list of qualified candidates. These candidates will be invited for on-campus interviews; they become semifinalists on acceptance of an interview. The Initiator will attend these interviews.

8.0

Interview process

8.1

A full resume will be posted electronically by the Human Resources Office for examination by all faculty, staff, and students of the University.

8.2

For on-campus interviews, the Committee will arrange and publicize a variety of opportunities, including at least two open forums, for faculty, staff, and students to meet and talk with each candidate.

8.3

The Search Committee will develop, with the Initiator's approval, a standard interview schedule for each semi-finalist.

8.4

The Committee will be invited to a separate meeting with the candidate, as well as a meeting for all faculty and staff  of the academic department in which the new executive team member would be resident.

8.5

Faculty, staff, and students will be invited to provide oral and/or written feedback to the Committee on the entire slate of semifinalist candidates, based on the published position description, required/desired qualifications and attributes. The Committee will share these comments with the Initiator and no one else, consistent with Board of Trustees policy 4.10.

9.0

Selecting the final candidate(s)

9.1

Selection of the final candidate(s) will begin only after the on-campus interview process for all semifinalist candidates is complete.

9.2

After considering the feedback from the University community, the Committee will develop in closed session a list of acceptable individuals, typically 2-5, from the list of semifinalists.

9.3

The Committee and the Initiator will meet to review the Committee's final list of acceptable candidates. If the Initiator is unable to proceed based on the list of candidates provided, the Initiator may choose to reopen the search for additional candidates or fail the search and restart the process.

9.4

All academic administrators serve in their administrative role at the pleasure of the President of the University. Prior to making a final offer, reasons for non-selection based on the required and/or desired qualifications listed in the job description must be reviewed by Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX for the candidates not recommended for hire. Human Resources will confirm that reference checks were conducted and that all approvals were received. The ultimate job offer will be conveyed from the President.

10.0

Negotiating salary and tenure

10.1

If appropriate, the President or Provost will negotiate tenure with the Chairs and Deans of appropriate academic units, and will make any recommendation of tenure to the Board of Trustees.

10.2

Other professional benefits will be negotiated between the candidate and the appropriate administrative officer(s).

11.0

Closure

The Search Committee must inform the Senate of any changes it deems necessary in the search procedure.