M E M O R A N D U M


		January 25, 2012


To:	Members of the Board of Trustees

From:	Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	Guidelines for Conducting Presidential Searches


Action Requested
      The proposed resolution adopts new guidelines for conducting presidential searches for State-operated institutions.
Resolution
I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:
Whereas by Res. 97-127, adopted September 23, 1997, the Board of Trustees adopted revised guidelines for conducting presidential searches for State-operated institutions (the “Guidelines”) to replace guidelines originally adopted by Res. 91-227, adopted December 12, 1991; and
Whereas there is a need to revise the Guidelines to expand the search committee, to provide for more confidential representational searches in which final candidates do not visit the campus, and to provide for review and recommendation by the Executive Committee of the Board of the Chancellor’s recommended candidate and proposed compensation package; now, therefore, be it 
Resolved that the “Guide to Presidential Searches at State-Operated Institutions,” copy of which is attached hereto, be, and the same hereby is, approved; and, be it further 

Resolved that the Guidelines adopted by Res. 97-127 be, and the same hereby are, repealed.




Background

       The resolution approves new procedures for presidential searches for State-operated campuses.

      As compared to the existing guidelines, the proposed guidelines provide:

* that an incumbent or retired State University president or a member of the Chancellor’s senior staff designated by the Chancellor shall be included in the search committee. 

* that with respect to larger campuses, the search committee may include an additional member of the faculty, a graduate student and an additional member from the campus foundation, if authorized by the Chancellor.

* that the campus faculty governance group shall work with System Administration to devise a nomination process to select the faculty representatives to the search committee. 

* for more confidential “representational searches” when authorized by the Chancellor and SUNY Board in which names of the semi-final candidates are not publicized to the college community and the semi-finalists meet with the search committee, college council members, and other designated members of the campus community, in lieu of a campus visit; a representational search may be authorized by the Chancellor and SUNY Board upon a determination that a traditional search process would inhibit the generation of a suitable pool of excellent candidates.

* that the Executive Committee of the Board and other interested Trustees shall interview the Chancellor’s recommended candidate  and shall forward to the full Board its approval or non-approval of the candidate and proposed annual compensation package.  


Attachment








 Board Resolution	                                   -2-                                January 25, 2012