Chancellor's Charge
TO: Provost Search Committee
FROM: Chancellor J. Keith Motley
DATE: December 22, 2008
RE: Provost Search Committee Charge
I want to express my appreciation to you for your willingness to serve on the search committee for the position of provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Your task is of vital importance to the future at the University of Massachusetts Boston. I know that each of you will carry out your responsibilities as a member of the committee effectively, conscientiously, and in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
As you know the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs is appointed by and reports to me, but works in close collaboration with executive and administrative staff members in all units to articulate and achieve the university’s mission and goals. We are seeking an individual with exceptional leadership qualities who will:
- Further academic excellence at a multifaceted public research university, devoted equally to scholarly pursuits, to teaching, and to service.
- Play a central role in realizing the University of Massachusetts Boston’s plans for the future, which include growth in both undergraduate and graduate education, as well as extensive new construction of academic buildings.
- Advance the research agenda of the faculty in both basic and interdisciplinary research.
- Establish and cultivate collaborative relationships among the diverse constituencies that make up the University of Massachusetts Boston and the many constituencies it serves.
The following principles provide a framework for the committee’s efforts:
- The role of the search committee is to recommend to me individuals who are qualified for appointment to the position of provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
- Search committee members serve as representatives of the university and are working on behalf of the entire university community. Based on their particular roles, qualifications, and experience, committee members bring unique perspectives to the process, but once appointed to the committee, they do not represent, nor are they accountable, to any group other than the search committee.
- Only the chairperson of the search committee is authorized to comment publicly on the search process, and the chairperson will be the official spokesperson for the search committee to the campus community and to off-campus constituencies, including the media.
The very able professional staff of Isaacson, Miller is supporting this search process. The search committee will be involved with the development of position specifications and will ensure that the search firm has access to representative stakeholders. Specifically, the search committee is responsible for:
- Thoroughly reviewing the credentials and discussing the qualifications of each pre-screened applicant for the position of provost to obtain a pool of finalists, and then forwarding its recommendations to me concerning three finalists to invite to campus for an interview.
- Organizing the campus interviews for the finalists and collecting information from the campus community concerning qualifications of the finalists who are interviewed.
- Providing me with an assessment of the relative strengths and limitations of each interviewed finalist.
- Meeting with me to discuss the committee’s recommendations.
The search committee also must assume responsibility for:
- Conducting the search process professionally, effectively, and with the utmost integrity.
- Maintaining the confidential nature of the search process. This applies to résumés, interview questions and responses, committee deliberations, assessments, and recommendations, among other sensitive matters. This confidentiality is extremely important in order to attract the highest quality candidates, to avoid putting their current positions in jeopardy, and to protect the University of Massachusetts Boston’s integrity. Please note that committee members are obligated not to contact individuals for informal references or other information on candidates unless this is specifically requested by the search committee.
- Concluding the search process in a timely manner, in order that an appointment might be announced by me by a target date of May 15, 2009, or as soon thereafter as possible.
- Assisting the individual appointed to the provost position in making an effective and satisfying transition to campus.
I look forward to working with you as you guide the process that will bring the University of Massachusetts Boston a truly outstanding provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.