Ithaca College

From C. William Schwab, chair, board of trustees, and Larry Alleva, vice chair, board of trustees

As the new academic year gets underway, we would like to update you on a few matters related to the upcoming presidential search.

At the beginning of September a subcommittee of the board of trustees will be meeting with four consultants under consideration to guide our work as we search for the next president of Ithaca College. Once the consultant is selected, we will visit the campus with the individual to hold a series of meetings with members of the campus community (vice presidents, deans, faculty, staff, and students). The purpose of the meetings will be to allow the consultant the opportunity to learn more about Ithaca College. The meeting will also provide us the opportunity to learn from all of you the qualities and competencies you believe are important in the next president and to hear firsthand your thoughts regarding the future of the College. The board of trustees will be holding a similar meeting during the month of September. The input received during these meetings will then be used to create a position specification document that will be shared by our consultant with all individuals interested in the position.

We also want to share information relative to the composition of the search committee and the process through which we plan to appoint the members of the committee. Building on the experience of a very successful search process when President Williams was selected, the search committee will consist of 13 members of our College community including 7 trustees, 3 faculty, a senior level administrator, a staff member, and a student.

In keeping with our College governance process and consistent with the manner in which representation is determined for all-College committees, we are seeking assistance from the Faculty Council, Staff Council, and Student Government Association in identifying potential candidates for participation on the search committee. In order to comprise a committee that fully represents the Ithaca College community, we will seek nominations of no fewer than six faculty candidates, two staff candidates, and two student candidates. It is up to the two councils and Student Government Association to determine how best to recruit nominees from each of their respective areas. Once the nominees are determined we will request that the names be submitted to us and we will select, with the assistance of other board members, the individuals who will be invited to serve on the search committee.

Each respective nominee will need to submit a resume and a letter describing why he or she would like to serve as a member of the search committee. It is very important that candidates be able to commit to regular participation for the duration of the search, and be enthusiastic in helping the board do the best job possible in this critical task.

If you are interested in submitting your name for consideration please check with the appropriate council or Student Government Association to familiarize yourself with the process the group will use to solicit nominations. Nominations from the Faculty Council, Staff Council, and Student Government Association will be due by September 28.

Nancy Pringle, secretary to the board, will be serving the board as staff support during the search process. If you have any questions regarding the nominations process or general search questions, please contact Nancy directly at npringle@ithaca.edu or by calling her at 274-3836.

On behalf of the board of trustees, let me thank you for your attention to and consideration of this request for nominations.