An Open Letter to Verbie: Twenty Characteristics of the Ideal Chancellor



Dear Verbie,



Thanks so much for agreeing to take on the task of chairing the search
committee for our new Chancellor. I thank you, too, for soliciting the input
of the faculty and staff about what qualities we should look for in
applicants for this position.



Our university is fortunate of late to enjoy some able leadership. It's
hard, though, to ignore horror stories from other universities around the
country regarding some questionable academic administration. Moved by these
stories and by our own particular needs, I offer here a few sketchy ideas
about what we might want to consider in evaluating potential candidates. I
suspect several of these ideas appear in generic leadership manuals. A
couple are probably debatable. But perhaps a few will serve to start a
constructive discussion. These are offered in no particular order, and
without any intent to be comprehensive.



I suggest we seek in a new Chancellor someone likely to.



  1.. never promise more than can be delivered;
  2.. never build before funding is in hand;
  3.. maintain good relations with the community without letting external
interests dictate university policy;
  4.. insist that official university policies and procedures be enforced at
all levels;
  5.. insist on full accountability (detailed budgets and such) of all
subordinates;
  6.. publicly account for every dollar in her own budget - both
state-funded accounts and private;
  7.. break bread routinely with donors, politicians, and university
personnel of all ranks;
  8.. communicate cogently, clearly, and unambiguously;
  9.. enthusiastically seek advice from veteran members of the faculty and
staff while eschewing the counsel of sycophants;
  10.. be open to considering new ways to address UTC's budget crisis, even
if those ways come at the expense of programs or initiatives not central to
the mission of the university;
  11.. acknowledge that undergraduate education is the central mission of
this institution;
  12.. insist on the completion of proper impact studies before instituting
or terminating major programs;
  13.. consider hiring a CFO rather than more "special assistants;"
  14.. support organized efforts by faculty and staff to garner better wages
and improved working conditions;
  15.. show less concern for remodeling his own house than for insuring
safe, healthy quarters for resident students;
  16.. serve as a model of unimpeachable honor, integrity, and justice;
  17.. consider teaching at least one class per year in her academic
discipline;
  18.. understand that "innovation," "change," and "growth" are not
necessarily good, especially when pursued for their own sake, - that
"consistency," "stability," and "refinement" might be even better;
  19.. demonstrate a willingness to tackle the tough decisions and to take
the responsibility for, and fall-out from, those decisions;
  20.. enjoy a reputation for demonstrating concern and respect for the
faculty and staff under his care.
Hope this helps. May your sessions with the UTC community go well this week!



Gavin Townsend

Department of Art





----- Original Message -----
From: "Verbie Prevost" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 6:30 PM
Subject: [UTCSTAFF] Chancellor Search


> To the UTC Community:
>
> As I indicated at the end of today's faculty meeting, I think that
> President John Petersen sent an important message to the UTC campus in
> deciding for the first time to make the Search Committee for our
> Chancellor
> a totally local one, including having it chaired by a UTC person rather
> than a UT Vice President.  While I am excited about that message, it also
> leaves me a bit overwhelmed by the huge responsibility this position
> entails.  Thus, the committee and I are counting on all of you for help,
> and we will try to keep you fully informed about the process each step of
> the way and seek your input and guidance.
>
> The committee held its initial meeting this morning and began setting up
> the process and timetable for the search.  The first major task of the
> committee is to develop the position statement that will be used to
> advertise the job opening.  We are currently seeking your assistance as we
> strive to complete this initial phase of the search in the next two weeks.
> We are holding two open sessions next week to which I invite all
> interested
> faculty, administrators, staff, and students to share their ideas
> regarding
> the kind of person we want to be our next chancellor.  We will use this
> information not only in formulating the position statement, but also later
> in devising the evaluation forms for candidates.
>
> These sessions will be held in the Lookout Mountain Room of the University
> Center on:
>
> Wednesday, September 22, at 4:00 p.m.
> Thursday, September 23, at 2:00 p.m.
>
> If you are unable to attend either of these sessions and would like to
> provide input, please email or call me.  Thanks for your support in this
> process as the results will be so important to the future of UTC.
>
> Verbie L. Prevost
> Chair, Search Committee for UTC Chancellor