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Presidential search panel hires firm
By SUE WUETCHER
Reporter Editor
The committee that is conducting the national search to identify the next president of UB has hired the national search firm of EMN/Witt/Kieffer to assist in identifying and recruiting the strongest possible presidential candidates.
The firm has placed recruitment ads that already have begun to appear in The Chronicle of Higher Education. It also is working with Jeremy M. Jacobs, chair of both the UB Council and the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, to send letters to members of the higher education community, including the presidents of institutions that are members, like UB, of the Association of American Universities (AAU), said Jean Dowdall, vice president of EMI/Witt/Kieffer who is leading the firm's efforts on behalf of UB's presidential search committee.
The firm also will "actively recruit" prospective candidates, "telephoning people who we think are most likely to be strong candidates," said Dowdall, who specializes in senior executive searches for colleges, universities, foundations and other non-profit organizations.
She stressed that the firm is soliciting suggestions for prospective candidates, "both internal and external," from members of the UB community as well.
"We're eager to hear all the suggestions of candidates people might have," she said, noting that the firm has received some suggestions and is looking for more. Dowdall said she needs those names "sooner rather than later," since it can take time to reach prospective candidates, gauge their interest and determine whether they would make suitable candidates.
Anyone with suggestions for prospective candidates may contact the search firm at ubuffalo@emnemn.com.
The search firm's efforts are "essential in identifying the kind of candidates the search committee will want to consider and would find appropriate and attractive," said Jacobs. The presidential search committee will submit to the UB Council a list of qualified candidates to succeed William R. Greiner as UB's 14th president.
Greiner announced in January that he will step down as president—a position he has held since 1991—effective June 30, or at a later date if requested by SUNY Chancellor Robert L. King.
The UB Council, UB's governing body, will make a final recommendation on Greiner's successor to King. The SUNY Board of Trustees must approve the appointment of the next UB president.
Jacobs emphasized that the presidential search committee will maintain complete confidentiality regarding prospective candidates, noting that many strong candidates are not willing to seek such positions—at possible risk to their current positions—without assurances of such confidentiality.
He said he hopes to have a presidential appointment before the beginning of the Fall 2003 semester, but believes that finding the right candidate is more important than making a speedy appointment and that the council will balance those two factors in making a final recommendation.
Information on the presidential search process, including search guidelines, the makeup of the search committee and the confidentiality agreement, may be viewed at the Presidential Search Web site at http://www.buffalo.edu/presidentialsearch.