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DURHAM -- UNC President Erskine Bowles charged the chancellor search committee for the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics on Monday with finding an experienced administrator.
"You've got to have somebody who understands how to operate a large organization and to deal with the public and the press and various constituencies," Bowles said in an 11-minute statement to the committee.
Bowles presented the 21-person group, of whom 16 were in attendance, with an extensive list of qualities he wants to see in the next chancellor. Bowles is seeking experience, leadership, managerial acumen, fund-raising ability, people skills and the ability to command the respect of students and faculty.
The new chancellor must also be able to help make the School of Science and Mathematics more diverse and be able to expand its distance-education programs, he said.
It is the committee's prerogative to hire or forego a consultant. Bowles told the board that funds are tight, but the university will provide money for a consultant if needed.
"Our job is to get the right candidates, so let's don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish," the president said.
Bowles also encouraged the committee to hold many public forums. "Because this is a statewide institution, I don't think you can confine your listening efforts to just Durham," he said.
The search committee will pass at least two names to the school's Board of Trustees. The finalists will be reviewed by the university president. Bowles will then forward one name to the UNC Board of Governors. The goal is to get at least two names to Bowles in June or earlier, with a new chancellor starting Aug. 1.
"Despite what you read in the paper, I'm going to be president when you make this decision," said Bowles, who recently announced that he would step down by year's end.
"This is the most important job you'll do for the school," Bowles said in concluding his remarks. "And having the right leader for the next decade will make an enormous difference."
There were no questions for Bowles but plenty for Ann Lemmon, the university's associate vice president for human resources. She reviewed information on state open-meetings and public-records laws, which apply to the search. Lemmon warned that any talk or information on candidates is confidential.
Lemmon said that having three months for the committee to complete its work is reasonable, and more time may be taken if necessary.
Chairwoman Shirley Frye divided the group into subcommittees to formulate job requirements, to consider whether to hire a search consultant and to plan public forums for input on qualities that the next chancellor should have.
The subcommittees will likely meet before March 11. The entire panel is expected to gather at noon that day to make decisions on soliciting public input, engaging a consultant and revealing or concealing the identities of the finalists.
Gerald Boarman, Science and Math's third chancellor, announced last month that he will leave the 30-year-old school this summer after a decade at its helm.
