Search and Screen for Senior Administrators

Scope

This policy governs search and screen for senior administrators. It applies to searches for the following positions:

• University President
• Vice presidents
• Chancellors
• Chief academic officers
• Vice provosts, vice chancellors, and deans of administrative units
• College, school, and core school deans

A foundational principle of Indiana University is its enduring partnership across its units, including faculty, to collectively advance the institution's mission. The establishment, revision, and retirement of academic policies will occur with consultation and input from the University Faculty Council.

Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 21-38-11, faculty governance organization actions are advisory only.

This policy shall supersede all campus, school and college, program, department, center, institute, and unit policies on any core or regional campuses of Indiana University.

Back to top

Policy Statement

Composition of the Committee

Search committees should be constructed to ensure broad and appropriate representation. Committees should reflect:

• Relevant campuses, units, and disciplines
• Multiple viewpoints and perspectives
• Appropriate ranks and appointment categories
• Faculty and/or staff with expertise aligned with the responsibilities of the senior administrators being hired

Use of Search Firms

Searches may be supported by a professional search firm. However, the search firm’s role must not replace or override the independent judgment of the committee. The committee retains full responsibility for evaluating candidates and making recommendations.

Confidentiality 

Committee searches and deliberations should remain confidential. Once a list of finalists has been determined, this information may be shared with relevant parties but should otherwise remain confidential.

Required Committee Procedures

A search and screen committee may adopt its own internal procedures, but all committees must:

1. Consult with the Office of Civil Rights Compliance

Ensure recruiting procedures align with university compliance, anti-discrimination policies, and institutional goals.

2. Adequately advertise the vacancy

The announcement should be communicated to the full faculty and/or staff, as appropriate, so that members of the university community have an opportunity to apply.

3. Value relevant experience and commitment to academic principles

Committees will prioritize relevant academic and/or administrative experience in higher education and a demonstrated commitment to academic freedom and shared governance.

4. Provide engagement opportunities for stakeholders

Committees will offer one or more opportunities, as appropriate, for stakeholders from relevant campuses, units, and other constituencies to engage with finalists and provide feedback to the committee.

Timeliness of Searches

Searches should be conducted on a timeline that allows sufficient time for the process while minimizing office vacancies and the need for an interim appointment.

Final Recommendations

Committees will submit more than one name, except in extraordinary circumstances. The relevant decision maker will either appoint a candidate from among those recommended by the search committee, or direct the search committee to identify, screen, and recommend additional candidates. The search committee will provide a recommendation only for candidates it deems acceptable.

If all recommended finalists are declined, the committee will be notified. The Executive Committee of the relevant faculty governance organization will then be consulted to advise on appropriate next steps for the decision maker. The decision maker retains final responsibility for determining how the search will proceed.

Back to top

Reason for Policy

The selection of senior administrators is a critical institutional decision with a significant impact on the university’s academic mission. In keeping with the principles of shared governance, the administration will consult with the relevant faculty governance organizations when conducting searches for senior administrators.

Back to top

Procedures

University President Searches

• The search for a university President is conducted by the Board of Trustees in accordance with procedures established by the Board.
• Early in the search process, the Board should consult with the Academic Leadership Council (ALC) Executive Committee and the University Faculty Council (UFC) Executive Committee to determine appropriate faculty involvement in the search and screen process.

Vice President Searches

Executive Vice Presidents of a Campus or School

• Searches for executive vice presidents who oversee a campus or a school are
  conducted by the university President or a designee.
• A majority of the search and screen committee members must be faculty from that campus or school.
• The university President or designee will inform the UFC Executive Committee of the search and will primarily consult with the Executive Committee of the relevant campus or school faculty governance organization on:
  • The needs and expectations of the position
  • Formation of the search and screen committee
  • The timeline for committee composition

Vice Presidents

• Searches for vice presidents are conducted by the university President or a
  designee.
• The university President or designee will consult with the ALC Executive Committee and the UFC Executive Committee to identify the appropriate level of faculty participation.
• Faculty representation on a search and screen committee is determined by the academic responsibilities of the position and its direct connection to the university’s teaching and research mission. When appropriate, faculty will comprise a majority of the committee.
• For non-academic administrative positions, committee membership will include individuals whose responsibilities and expertise are directly connected to the operational functions of the university.

Chancellor Searches

• Searches for a chancellor are conducted by the university President or a designee.
• A majority of the search and screen committee members must be faculty from the relevant campus.
• The university President or designee will inform the UFC Executive Committee of the search and will primarily consult with the Executive Committee of the relevant campus faculty governance organization on:
  • The needs and expectations of the position
  • Formation of the search and screen committee
  • The timeline for committee composition

Chief Academic Officer Searches
(e.g., provost, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs)

• Searches for a chief academic officer are conducted by the chancellor of the
  respective campus.
• A majority of the search and screen committee members must be faculty from the respective campus.
• The chancellor will consult with the Executive Committee of the relevant campus faculty governance organization on:
  • The needs and expectations of the position
  • Formation of the search and screen committee
  • The timeline for committee composition

Vice Provosts, Vice Chancellors, and Deans of Administrative Units Searches

• These searches are conducted by the chancellor and/or the chief academic officer
  of the respective campus.
• The chancellor and/or chief academic officer will consult with the Executive Committee of the relevant campus faculty governance organization to identify the appropriate level of faculty participation.
• Faculty representation on a search and screen committee is determined by the academic responsibilities of the position and its direct connection to the campus or unit’s teaching and research mission. When appropriate, faculty will comprise a majority of the committee.
• For non-academic administrative positions, committee membership will include individuals whose responsibilities and expertise are directly connected to the operational functions of the relevant campus or unit.

College, School, and Core School Deans Searches

• These searches are conducted by the chancellor and/or chief academic officer to whom the dean primarily reports.
• A majority of the search and screen committee members must be faculty from the respective college or school; for reviews of a core school dean, faculty membership must be representative of all campuses overseen by the dean.

Back to top

Definitions

Core Schools: Refers to university academic units that operate across multiple campuses
under unified school-level leadership. The Core Schools are:

• Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
• Kelley School of Business
• O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
• School of Nursing
• School of Social Work

Back to top

History

(Presidential Searches:  University Faculty Council, March 9, 1976; Board of Trustees, December 18, 1976; all other searches:  University Faculty Council, October 27, 1987, November 12, 2019)

June 2025- Update Responsible Office, policy number updated from ACA-09 to BOT-20

June 2026- Substantive revisions

Back to top