JMU Presidential Search Committee Meets

On December 08, 2010, James Madison University President, Dr. Linwood H. Rose, announced that he would step down in the summer of 2012. Following Rose's announcement, Board Rector, Mr. James Hartman appointed Mr. Joseph Damico to chair the Presidential Search Committee. Mr. Damico is a current member of the JMU Board of Visitors and a former Rector. 

Since that time, Mr. Hartman has appointed an inclusive and collaborative group of individuals to serve on the Presidential Search Committee. These committee members are charged with informing and advising the Board of Visitors in making its decision on the selection of the next president of the University. 

"I am pleased that Mr. Damico has accepted my request to serve as the Presidential Search Committee Chairman. I have great confidence in his leadership and in the Search Committee members who have been chosen. The Board looks forward to receiving the Committee's recommendations," said Hartman. 

The committee members are as follows: 

"We are very pleased with the quality of the individuals who have committed to serving on the Presidential Search Committee. These members bring the perspectives of key constituencies of the University including the Board of Visitors, faculty and staff, students, alumni, parents, the JMU Foundation and the local community. Such representation was intentional and designed to encompass the diverse community that comprises our University. Dr. Linwood Rose has led this institution with excellence and it will be difficult to replace him. The University's reputation will undoubtedly attract many highly qualified candidates and I have confidence that the people and process supporting this search will lead to the selection of a capable successor," said Damico. 

The Search Committee met for the first time on Thursday, January 06, 2011. During that meeting the group received its charge from the JMU Board Rector, Mr. Hartman, as well as, information regarding expectations, process and timing from the Search Committee Chair, Mr. Damico. 

Search 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. 

Meeting Minutes, January 6, 2011 - Draft - Awaiting Approval 

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 
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 

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 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 
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.