UCA search committee to begin advertising for chief position

A group of people representing the seven constituencies that make up the University of Central Arkansas sat down together for the first time Tuesday.

This group, appointed by the UCA Board of Trustees, has been armed with the task of finding the best possible applicants to replace former university president Lu Hardin.

Dr. Jeff Farris, former UCA president and co-chair of the search committee, told the group gathered in Wingo Hall not to take their mission lightly.

"I think the decision the board will make based on the recommendations they have is probably the single most important decision the board of this university has made in 101 years," Farris said. "And everything I say and do from here on will reflect that."

As far as a time table on filling the position, Farris said he opposes hard and fast deadlines; however, he said the group will likely begin reviewing applications by the first of March.

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He said Rush Harding, chairman of the trustees, told him it is more important to do a good job, rather than a fast job, when it comes to finding a new chief for the institution.

To begin to create an initial applicant pool, the group reviewed the advertisement used in the 2001 presidential search. Some of the requirements listed include the appropriate degree and sufficient experience to manage and lead the academic programs of a comprehensive university, a history of progressively responsible administrative experience, a thorough understanding of the budgeting and funding process and the ability to relate effectively to students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Farris asked the group to discuss the listed information with their constituents and then submit any changes, criticisms or other reactions by noon Friday. He said he will then submit it for publication in the Jan. 23 edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education.

At the request of trustee Scott Roussel, who is serving as a non-voting liaison to the committee, Farris said he will run the advertisement by Harding before submitting it for publication.

Farris also said it is up to the members of the committee to not only advertise the position, but recruit potential applicants as well.

"If you are a key business man and you have a position to fill, you probably won't put an ad in the newspaper and wait for people to apply," Farris said. "You've got to go out and get the best folks you can find."

However, he said the connection the committee has to every part of the UCA community, from the students, staff and faculty to the alumni and Conway community, can work two ways.

Farris said the committee members should not personally invite people to apply for the job, but should include their peers and encourage them to nominate choices.

"You need to make them feel that they have a voice in the decision, that's important," Farris said.

Other discussions that took place in the first meeting of the presidential search committee included the possibility of hiring a search firm and the committee's dedication to transparency.

As the entire UCA community will be watching this particular selection process closely, Ronnie Williams, vice president for student services, asked what could be done to prove the process is transparent.

Farris said the simple answer is for the committee to be absolutely sure everything is done as it should be.

"I also think that would be letting our constituents know we really need the best pool of applicants we can get," Farris said. "If they know we want them to get good folks in that pool, that's about all we can do."

On the subject of a search firm, Kurt Boniecki, president of the Faculty Senate, raised the point that the initial applicant pool for the position of the provost was poor. He said it wasn't until that search committee hired a search firm that a suitable applicant was found and hired.

However, Farris said with the budget issues UCA has been facing, finding the money to hire such a firm could be a problem. He did say this is something the committee could consider if they feel the initial response is not satisfactory.

Farris and Dr. Jerry Manion serve as co-chairs of the search committee and the members include Roussel; Williams; Boniecki; Carter Walker, staff representative; Milburn Adams, community representative; Drew Williams, Student Government Association representative; Anne Wallace Crighton, Alumni Association representative; and Robin Nix, president of the UCA Foundation.

(Staff writer Jessica Bauer can be reached by e-mail at jessica.bauer@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236. To comment on this and other stories in the Log Cabin, log on to www.thecabin.net. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)