Seekers of a New President Sought

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 28, 2016) — Nominations are being sought for a committee to launch the search for a permanent successor to former President Robert J. Jones.

Michael J. Castellana, chair of the University Council and newly named chair of the Presidential Search Committee.

Michael J. Castellana, chairman of the University at Albany Council, will lead the search committee of 17 faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. James R. Stellar is serving as interim president until a new president takes office.

SUNY guidelines make the University Council responsible for conducting the search. All members of the campus community are invited to nominate themselves or another person to serve on the committee.

“I am looking forward to assembling a team of people who will reflect a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, while bringing a shared commitment to advancing the University as a whole,” Castellana said. “I’m confident that the progress UAlbany is making on its strategic initiatives will allow us to attract candidates of a very high caliber.”

The search committee is responsible for developing the materials used to recruit candidates, reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and recommending candidates to the University Council, which is responsible for advancing three finalists to the SUNY chancellor.

The committee will have the assistance of an executive search firm. Committee members will be bound by strict rules of confidentiality, designed to preserve the integrity of the search and protect the identity of candidates.

Castellana said that committee members can expect to put significant time into this work over the next several months. “We will establish a timetable for the search after the committee is formed,” he said. “I anticipate we will need to hold several meetings over the course of the academic year.”

Specifically, SUNY guidelines call for the committee to be comprised of:

• Six members of the full-time teaching faculty
• Four members of the University Council (including the chair)
• One student
• One alumni representative, to be recommended by the executive committee of the UAlbany Alumni Association
• One campus-related foundation representative, to be recommended by executive committee of the University at Albany Foundation
• One academic dean
• One professional or support staff member
• One incumbent or retired SUNY president from another campus or a member of the chancellor’s senior staff
• The chancellor’s liaison (non-voting).

The six faculty members will be elected by the full-time faculty. Castellana, as search committee chair, will appoint the academic dean, student, and professional or support staff members from nominations received from the campus. Chancellor Nancy Zimpher will appoint the SUNY president and chancellor’s liaison.

While the committee is being formed, the University Council will solicit proposals from executive search firms and choose a firm to support the search.

All faculty, staff and students are invited to submit names of individuals to fill the faculty, student, staff and dean positions on the committee. The nomination period is scheduled to run from October 5-12 on the MyUAlbany portal. Watch for an email announcing the opening of the nomination period and specific instructions on how to complete a submission. This information will also be posted on the Presidential Search website.

For more information, visit the Presidential Search website.

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