Present

Ed Folsom, Vicki Grassian, Meredith Hay, Boyd Knosp, Michael Mackey and Cheryl Reardon

Frank Abboud, Associate VP for Research and vice chair for the UI Presidential Search called a special meeting of Research Council.    The topic on the agenda is to discuss the presidential search.   Abboud covered several items of importance:

Katherine Tachau, and Frank Abboud are vice chairs of the search committee. An advisory committee has been established and involves senior faculty and staff. 

The following website has been established for the search: http://www.uiowa.edu/uipresidentialsearch/.  

We must ensure that the University and IC community understand the process and establish credibility in the search process. To date, they have had 35 meetings with key groups including faculty, staff, friends and alumni of the University, and community members.  

Two search committee meetings to date (first was related to the process and the second was to create the job description).   Each member of the search committee will be equal members and everyone will have one vote in the process. 

The position description is posted at http://www.uiowa.edu/uipresidentialsearch/ Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. search firm has been hired to help identify high quality candidates.   The search firm has been on campus to get a better understanding of our campus climate.  

The core search group has scheduled a weekly teleconference between Katherine Tachau, Frank Abboud , Teresa Walert, Gary Steinke and two members from the search firm.

Abboud stressed the importance that the incoming president must insure frequent communication with faculty, staff and students, legislators, community members, Iowans from across the state, etc. 

Abboud discussed the upcoming process for the search. The committee will discuss strengths and weaknesses of the candidates and recommend 4 to 5 finalists to come to campus. Projections by the search firm for on-campus interviews will be in November or December.  

Abboud asked the Research Council for names of potential candidates.   Please send names to Abboud or Tachau (name and current institution of the candidate). You are also welcome to send a letter describing the person’s qualifications.  

Abboud asked the Council what research issues the new president must be sensitive to. Members offered these comments:  

1. Understand that research is a moving target in terms of federal funding opportunities.
2. A leader who will have a big impact from a Regents’ perspective.   
3. Understands interdisciplinary centers are relevant to where we are going as a research institution. 
4. Determine strategies to develop a sense of cohesiveness in a broad-based, complex university.
5. Ability to communicate effectively with faculty and staff on key sensitive issues of institutional importance. 
6. Be an advocate for researchers, faculty and staff.
7. A person who visualizes the research enterprise broadly (interdisciplinary research) and encourages cross-collaborations between units.
8. A person who helps build bridge among units, colleges, etc.

Meeting adjourned at 12:02 pm.