SEARCH PROCESS

We have before us another important process and decision, the selection of a new president for The University of Montana.  I outline for you here a set of steps that have occurred or are in progress:

Presidential Search Advisory Committee

Chairman Stephen Barrett agrees with my recommendation that we should establish a Presidential Search Advisory Committee with all deliberate speed.  To that end, he has already asked Regent Clayton Christian, chair of the staff and compensation committee and vice-chair of the board, to serve as chair of the search advisory committee.  Regent Christian has agreed.

The search advisory committee shall be comprised of representatives of major stakeholders and constituent groups of The University of Montana and its affiliated campuses.

Staff and I will assist PSAC Chair Christian in the process of inviting various stakeholder groups to submit nominations of individuals to serve on the committee.  (February 1 - 10)    

Board of Regents' Search Workshop

The Board of Regents will meet in Missoula on the morning of February 17^th in a public meeting.  Details of place and time for the workshop will be announced by February 2.  A similar workshop was held in mid-May on the MSU-Bozeman campus at the beginning of the MSU presidential search.  The agenda will include items relating to the search process, timelines, and guidance from the full Board.  An important part of the agenda will be the opportunity at the workshop for public comment.  The affiliated UM campuses will also have the opportunity to send representatives to the Board workshop or to provide comment to the Board via telephone.   

 Presidential Transition Assessment

Chairman Barrett has accepted my recommendation that we engage an experienced leader from outside the University to assist the Board in its meetings with key constituencies to identify the major challenges involved in leadership transition after Dr. Dennison's successful 20-year presidency.  I have invited Dr. Stephen Reno, Chancellor Emeritus of the University System of New Hampshire, to conduct this assessment on our behalf.  His vita is attached.  Regents Barrett, Christian, and I will assist him in conducting individual interviews in Missoula on February 16^th with a variety of university, community, state leaders, and stakeholders.  Some of the interviews may be by telephone, such as with representatives of campuses in Butte, Helena, and Dillon.  Dr. Reno will send his report to the Board of Regents by March 1^st, and will be available as necessary for follow-up questions with them.  Dr. Reno will be particularly concerned to talk with all interested parties so as to be able to assist the Board in its development of a presidential transition assessment that will guide the Search Advisory Committee's work.  It is fortunate that the Missoula campus has just completed its self-study to submit to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.  As an experienced chair of Northwest Accreditation visitation teams (who has already met several Montana regents), Dr. Reno will find the self-study a critical resource in this process.

Regent Christian will schedule the organizational meeting of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee once the membership has been identified and confirmed, and Dr. Reno's assessment is available for their review (late February or early March).

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