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Tips on Forming a Search Committee

  • Committee chairpersons should hold positions at the same level as or higher than the vacant position.
  • Exceptions are often made for professors, who may be asked to chair faculty search committees, regardless of their rank or tenure status.
  • The size of the committee should reflect the importance of the vacant position (the more important the position, the greater the number of committee members).
  • Attempt to form a committee diverse in terms of gender and race.
  • Attempt to appoint as a committee member an individual who has performed the vacant position or a similar position.
  • Attempt to appoint as a committee member an individual who has supervised the vacant position or a similar position.
  • Appoint ex-officio members from the HR department, the Affirmative Action office or both.
  • Determine whether each potential appointee has sufficient time to devote to each committee duties.
  • Ensure that the committee possesses technical expertise sufficient to make astute comparisons among applicants.
  • Ensure that the committee represents a variety of perspectives on the role and function of the vacant position.
  • Appoint stakeholders – for example, students in a search for a Director of Student Activities, Faculty in search for a Librarian, or members of the President’s Cabinet in a search for a Vice President.
  • Committee chairpersons should hold positions at the same level as or higher than the vacant position.
  • Exceptions are often made for professors, who may be asked to chair faculty search committees, regardless of their rank or tenure status.
  • The size of the committee should reflect the importance of the vacant position (the more important the position, the greater the number of committee members).
  • Attempt to form a committee diverse in terms of gender and race.
  • Attempt to appoint as a committee member an individual who has performed the vacant position or a similar position.
  • Attempt to appoint as a committee member an individual who has supervised the vacant position or a similar position.
  • Appoint ex-officio members from the HR department, the Affirmative Action office or both.
  • Determine whether each potential appointee has sufficient time to devote to each committee duties.
  • Ensure that the committee possesses technical expertise sufficient to make astute comparisons among applicants.
  • Ensure that the committee represents a variety of perspectives on the role and function of the vacant position.
  • Appoint stakeholders – for example, students in a search for a Director of Student Activities, Faculty in search for a Librarian, or members of the President’s Cabinet in a search for a Vice President.