CU Board of Regents delivers charge to Presidential Search Committee
Committee to review candidates and present at least five unranked to regents
Dec. 8, 2021
The University of Colorado Board of Regents voted unanimously today to deliver its charge to the Presidential Search Committee and advance efforts to select the next president of the CU System.
The charge outlines the role and responsibilities of the incoming president, and the experience and abilities candidates must demonstrate to be considered.
“This is an important moment in the presidential search,” said Board Chair Jack Kroll. “The charge clearly outlines our expectations. Moreover, it empowers the search committee members to make a profound impact on the decision as to who will serve as CU's next president."
The committee will be tasked with working closely with the search firm to narrow the pool to at least five candidates – unranked – for the regents to consider. Committee members will read applications, review credentials, interview candidates, have meaningful discussions about strengths and qualifications, and ultimately vote on which candidates to put forward.
“From day one, the regents have made it their priority to have an inclusive and transparent search process, and this charge and the search committee deliver on that promise,” said Regent Lesley Smith, chair of the search committee. “This is the most diverse and inclusive presidential search committee that any of us can remember.”
The committee includes faculty, staff, students, deans, alumni, donors and community members from across the state. The committee’s first meeting will be next week.
“The membership was chosen from a pool nominated by the university community and represents the rich diversity of Colorado – from geography to demographics to perspectives,” said Regent Sue Sharkey, vice chair of the search committee. “This is what inclusive excellence looks like, and we are proud to have them serve the university at this time.”
The appointment of the search committee followed a monthslong outreach effort by the regents to gather input and perspectives from a range of internal and external stakeholders on what they would like to see in CU’s next president. The regents have met with more than 40 groups. They met with shared governance groups across the CU system, including faculty assemblies, staff councils and student governments. They also met with community leaders and stakeholder groups from across Colorado, including underrepresented minority groups, members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, elected officials and the business community. Cortez, Durango, Fort Morgan, Pueblo and Sterling are among the locations regents have visited so far.
For more information about the search, please visit the CU Presidential Search website.