Committee meets to discuss search
Ruth Stevens
The committee searching for Princeton's 19th president represents many different groups, but is united in its goal of serving the University, according to its chair.
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The committee, which includes nine trustees, five faculty members, three students and one staff member, met for the first time Oct. 21. It is charged with making a recommendation to the full Board of Trustees on a successor to President Shapiro, who plans to return to the faculty at the end of this academic year.
At the first meeting, committee members spent time getting to know one another and discussing the process and timeline for the search. The first part of the process, the outreach phase, is already under way.
"We will be consulting, as broadly as we can, with alumni, with students, with faculty, with staff and with sources external to Princeton about a number of issues," Rawson said.
The committee plans to gather information on: how people see Princeton today, focusing on its strengths and weaknesses; what characteristics the next president should have, in light of challenges and opportunities facing the University in the next five to 10 years; and who should be considered either as sources of names or as candidates.
Rawson noted that he has written to alumni asking them to submit ideas. He has sent an e-mail message to the University community inviting thoughts, questions and advice. He also has asked members of the committee to think about the best ways to approach their colleagues to get input. He said there will be some on-campus meetings as well as other avenues for information gathering (see box).
"Within the next month or so, we hope to give people as much opportunity as we can to let us know what they're thinking," he said.
Suggestions from alumni already have been streaming in, according to Rawson. "The response to my letter to the alumni has been quite confirming of the high regard and value that our alumni put on the University and its presidency," he said. "We're getting suggestions about Princeton and the kind of person we would like to attract, and we're also getting a variety of names from people."
Throughout the process, the names of potential candidates will remain confidential, Rawson said. "We will not be discussing any names or candidates until we actually have a person we intend to elect the next president," he said. "We need to do that to maintain the credibility of our process and to be fair to anybody under consideration."
Following the outreach phase of the process, the committee will work to narrow the list of possible candidates by conducting research on those nominated. The committee will interview a select group of individuals, identify the top candidate and make a recommendation to the full board.
Rawson said the committee hopes to conclude its work by spring, in order to have a new president on board by fall.
"I recognize that may be a short timetable," he said. "We're not going to rush it in order to get it done. If it takes us more time than that, Harold (Shapiro) has indicated he's willing to be a bit flexible, and we'll deal with that issue if it arises."
The committee currently has scheduled monthly meetings through January, with the understanding that special meetings may be convened.
At this point, Rawson said the committee does not expect to hire an outside consultant to assist with the search.
"We know that there are good people in the field, and if we reach a point where we think we'll need the help of a search consultant, then we certainly would be prepared to retain one," he said. "But right now, we intend to move forward on our own, which is what we did when we conducted a search 13 years ago, and that worked."
In discussing a desired profile of the new president, Rawson said. "We're not looking for litmus tests here. We're looking to find the best possible person, taking into account a wide range of requirements to be a successful president today."
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November 6, 2000 Contents • Scherer
seeks rock-solid solutions to
deterioration • Committee
meets to discuss search • Leyden
builds on community service ethic at home and
abroad • Spotlight
/ People
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