BOG Search Committee Fine Tuning Pitch for Candidates

Input compiled from more than 4,000 responses to identify attributes that should be sought in candidates for the next UNC System President was presented at the Leadership Statement Committee meeting on Thursday.

The input was gathered from online surveys, input from public meetings, formal discussions amongst constituent group leaders, and social media.

According to the statement, a consensus on what the constituent groups were looking for in a candidate included a demonstrated record of bringing together a broad array of constituencies, being able to work constructively across multiple stakeholder groups, integrity, and maintaining the stature of the UNC System.

Read over the full presentation here.

The constituent groups in the report were from the Board of Governors, the UNC Board of Trustees, Chancellors, Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, the business world, military members, community members, and the very inclusive “other” category.

John Isaacson, from the firm Isaacson, Miller which is leading the search, spoke at the meeting about the pitch that will be used to attract a candidate. He touted the University System and attractions to the job.

“[This is] one of the great public systems in the country, perhaps the very best. It’s been supported by the legislature, historically, at levels that very few states have ever done. It charges very low tuition and provides great support,” Isaacson says. “And it has weathered this recession better than almost any other state.”

Having said that, Isaacson cautioned it would still take some persuading because it can be difficult to recruit for the positions calling them “consequential” and “dangerous” jobs.

The funding behind the search has still not been clearly laid out. To this point, UNC says the money is coming from university funds, but it is not state funds. Officials also said the funding is not coming from private sources.

As the search continues, Isaacson, Miller is scheduled to meet with UNC committees three times over the summer to discuss candidates.

In January, it was announced that President Tom Ross would be removed from that position in January of next year. A new President could be selected by this fall.