Presidential Search Committee

 

No. 1 

Minutes of the Meeting of January 6, 2011

The Presidential Search Committee appointed by the Rector of the Visitors of James Madison University met on Thursday, January 6, 2011 in the Festival Conference and Student Center Board Room on the campus of James Madison University.  Mr. Joseph Damico, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.

PRESENT:

  • Brodrick Hartman, Christie-Joy
  • Coleman, Warren
  • Damico, Joseph
  • Hartman, James, Rector
  • Jerome, Robert
  • Lovell, Sharon
  • Lovin, LouAnn
  • Reese, Andrew
  • Rivers, Wharton, Vice Rector
  • Strickler, Judith
  • Langridge, Nick, Secretary

LISTENING BY TELEPHONE (Did Not Participate)

  • Offley, Jon
  • Thomas, Michael

ABSENT:

ALSO PRESENT:

  • Egle, Don, Director of Public Affairs and University Spokesperson
  • Forehand, Ron, Senior Assistant Attorney General of Virginia, Chief of the Education Section

INTRODUCTIONS

Presidential Search Committee Chair, Mr. Joe Damico facilitated member introductions.

CHARGE FROM THE RECTOR

Board Rector Mr. James Hartman formally appointed members to serve at the service of the Board of Visitors, in the search for the sixth president of James Madison University.  Rector Hartman charged members to work with a presidential search firm and ultimately to bring the leading candidates to the Board of Visitors for review.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Mr. Damico presented information on the Presidential Search Process: (Attachment A)

Next, Mr. Damico outlined the expectations of members, with emphasis on confidentiality.

Then, Mr. Damico shared the Presidential Job Description with the committee and asked that they draft and submit their desired Presidential attributes by Friday, February 4th.

From a timing stand point, Mr. Damico reported that he would like to begin requesting proposals from presidential search firms immediately.  Mr. Damico expects the search to take approximately one year.

COMMUNICATION

Nick Langridge reviewed protocol for internal and external communications and the use of a website to serve as the central point of search information and periodic releases to the public.

Chairman Damico then called for the board to move into Closed Session.  Mr. Rivers, Vice Rector, made the following motion:

“I move the Committee go into closed session to discuss the following matters: 1) pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 A-7 of the Code of Virginia to consult with legal counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel; and 2) pursuant to Section 2.2-3711-A-29 of the Code of Virginia to discuss awarding of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds.”

The motion was seconded by Ms. Brodrick Hartman and the Board moved into closed session.

Following the closed session, Mr. Damico then stated the following:

During the closed session, the board discussed only matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements and only those types of matters identified in the motion for the closed session.

RECORDED VOTE: the following is an affirmative recorded, member by member vote: 

  • Brodrick Hartman, Christie-Joy
  • Coleman, Warren
  • Damico, Joseph
  • Hartman, James, Rector
  • Jerome, Robert
  • Lovell, Sharon
  • Lovin, LouAnn
  • Reese, Andrew
  • Rivers, Wharton, Vice Rector
  • Strickler, Judith

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Jerome, seconded by Mr. Coleman, the Committee voted to adjourn.  The meeting was adjourned at 5:11 pm.

ATTACHMENT A

James Madison University

Presidential Search

Phases of the Search Committee Process

Phase I: Select and Orient Search Committee

Phase II: Procure a Presidential Search Firm

Phase III: Gather Input and Define Desired Attributes and Qualifications

Phase IV: Establish Evaluation Criteria

Phase V: Recruit and Develop Pool of Candidates

Phase VI:  Review, Interview and Evaluate Candidates

Phase VII: Make Formal Recommendation to the Board of Visitors

Phase VIII: Board of Visitors Extend Formal Offer to Desired Candidate

Note: Communication is not listed as a Phase in that there will be ongoing periodic updates throughout the phases of the process.   In addition, this schedule is subject to revisions upon hiring a Presidential Search Firm and its resulting consultation on search process.