The public interest is adequately represented by the elected members of the Board of Trustees. The Committee considered this question because it may well be that the individual with the best qualifications, and the most obvious candidate, may be an internal prospect. Several committee members believed that search procedures are competitive by design and are intended to identify the best person for the position. Sometimes this process becomes one of confirming the merit of an internal candidate by a legitimate body. At the same time the thorough search process helps the institution define what it is and what its needs are at a particular time.
Strict confidentiality is observed by all associated with the search at all stages of the search.
The Board receives reports from the chair of the search committee or a designee at each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board during the period of the search. Procedures are instituted that provide for the search committee to present from four to six candidates as finalists, or sufficient reasons to deviate from this. At any stage in the search process, the use of a search firm could be considered as a means for aiding the process. In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the work of the search committee should be concluded within one year of its receipt of a charge from the President or the Board. The inclusion in the search process of individuals with no formal connection with the University is discouraged.