President’s Charge to the Search Advisory Committee

The following charge outlines my expectations with regard to the search process and the authority granted to the SAC:

• The co-chairs of the SAC shall be the only spokespersons for the Committee.
• The SAC will adopt a timetable for the search that will permit the appointment of an executive director as soon as possible after the first of the year.
• The SAC will develop a statement of desired candidate qualifications that will guide the search and screening process and be shared with potential candidates and nomination sources.  This statement of qualifications will be informed by the vision and goals of the institution and a formal assessment of the institution’s challenges and opportunities as they relate to the leadership of the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs.
• The SAC, with the assistance of Isaacson, Miller & Associates, will conduct an active national search to attract highly qualified candidates and will develop the necessary strategies, processes, and procedures to achieve that objective.  The search will be conducted in a manner that reflects the values of the institution and its standards of professional conduct.
• The co-chairs of the SAC will make periodic general reports to the president and members of the university community about the progress of the search.
• The SAC will observe strict confidentiality in the conduct of its search activities, as provided by law.  Any member who breaches confidentiality may be removed from the Committee without replacement.  Staff assigned to provide assistance to the SAC will likewise observe strict confidentiality in all matters related to the search.
• The SAC will present to the president three or more finalist candidates evaluated as highly qualified to fill the position of executive director of the Harte Research Institute, unranked but with an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each.  It is the sole right and responsibility of the president to select and appoint the executive director of the Harte Research Institute in accord with the rules and regulations of The Texas A&M University System.