N.C. Alone in College Hiring Secrecy

[Aggie77]

In my search for something else I came across this article.

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The Fayetteville (NC) Observer
Published on Sunday, March 02, 2008

N.C. alone in college hiring secrecy


By Corey G. Johnson
Staff writer

North Carolina is the only state in the nation that selects the top leaders of all its public universities in secret.

In 49 other states, the names of the finalists for university president or chancellor positions are made public, a Fayetteville Observer study shows. Six states release the names of all applicants.

A few states have no single governing policy, according to the survey of 118 university systems or individual schools. Some universities in those states close the process, but at least one school or university system in every state, except North Carolina, selects leaders in public.

Link to Complete story:

www.fayobserver.com/print?id=287300&type=article

Staff writer Corey G. Johnson can be reached at [e-mail] or 323-4848, ext. 487


How much does secrecy cost?
UNC Asheville total expenses: $143,035.04. Search firm: A.T. Kerney Education Practice of Alexandria, Va. Search firm’s fees & expense: $52,126.43

N.C. School of the Arts total expenses: $122,767.10. Search firm: Morris & Berger of Glendale, Calif. Search firm’s fees & expenses: $98,659.67

N.C. A&T University total expenses: $135,195.76. Search firm: Heidrick & Struggles Inc. of Atlanta. Search firm’s fees & expenses: $120,841.56

Winston-Salem State University total expenses: $121,385.41. Search firm: Witt/Kieffer. Search firm’s fees & expenses: $81,306.77

Elizabeth City State University total expenses: $145,151.62. Search firm: Heidrick & Struggles of Atlanta. Search firm’s fees & expenses: $97,255.10

N.C. Central University total expenses: $137,260.49. Search firm: Heidrick & Struggles of Atlanta. Search firm’s fees & expenses: $127,888.87

Fayetteville State University: $130,000 budgeted. Search firm: Witt/Kieffer. Search firm’s fees & expenses: $91,443.71 as of Feb. 19

UNC-Chapel Hill: Budgeted $215,000 (Nonstate appropriated funds). Search firm: R. William Funk & Associates of Dallas, Texas. Search fees & expenses: $90,000, plus reimbursement for expenses related to the search, as well as administrative and support costs.

UNC-Greensboro: $155,000 budgeted. Search firm: Baker & Associates of Atlanta. Search consultant fees & expenses: Up to $100,000

Copyright 2009 - The Fayetteville (NC) Observer

[Bornthrilla]

N.C. A&T University total expenses: $135,195.76. Search firm: Heidrick & Struggles Inc. of Atlanta. Search firm’s fees & expenses: $120,841.56

Man, we could just have another Decision 2008 tournament and select the next chancellor for free.

[Bornthrilla]

Heidrick & Struggles Inc.'s website:

www.heidrick.com/default.aspx


I wonder what they offer clients to be able to charge such high fees. I am in the wrong business.

[Bornthrilla]

www.heidrick.com/Services/Search/

Executive Search

Conducting an executive search for your organization’s board member, chief executive or senior-level management positions is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Heidrick & Struggles, the world’s premier provider of executive search services, offers exceptional expertise and insight.

For more than 50 years, organizations have entrusted Heidrick & Struggles to build thriving, high-performance leadership teams. Our consultants’ breadth and depth of relevant experience provide a solid platform for understanding critical business needs, allowing us to identify and recruit the market’s best talent for your organization. Our practice areas—including industry, functional and regional specializations—enhance our ability to conduct successful searches for clients around the world.

Heidrick & Struggles offers a truly collaborative approach to executive search that is based on a thorough understanding of the strategic, financial and operational issues our clients face. Our proven processes and comprehensive analyses help ensure that no stone is left unturned during your search.

[Bornthrilla]

That sounds like a bunch of bullcrap. I guess they are not going to give away their secrets on the website.

[Gator]

I think this company is used to hire high salary football coaches too.

[@ProfBellamy]

I remember when we asked about the logic behind closed searches the answer was to make ensure high-value canidates protection from their current employers knowing that they were applying for other positions until they were selected as finalists.

I think thats not a bad idea, but most schools do end up releasing the top canidates for review by the campus and public. We need to do that, and then also allow for the BOT to rank their choices, not sending 3 unranked choices the UNC system President.

[Aggie77]

I side with the other 49 states on the secrecy issue. It doesn't appear to hurt the candidates and it doesn't appear to increase the talent pool. So, what's the point.

"A check of news reports shows that several educators — including the recently installed N.C. Central University chancellor, Dr. Charlie Nelms, and two current finalists for Fayetteville State University’s chancellor position — have been candidates in public searches without losing their jobs.

Nelms, prior to being hired at NCCU in 2007, competed and became a finalist for presidential or chancellor posts at four other universities in a four-year period, including Fayetteville State in 2003, Florida A&M in 2004 and Tennessee State in 2005."

[aggiejazz]

It seems that HBCUs are choosing their leaders from a very small talent pool. It also seems strange that NC HBCUs used the same 2 companies for their chancellor searches while the pre-dominantly white universities' consultanting companies are more diverse.

[@ProfBellamy]

Mar 4, 2009 17:18:12 GMT -5 Aggie77 said:

I side with the other 49 states on the secrecy issue. It doesn't appear to hurt the candidates and it doesn't appear to increase the talent pool. So, what's the point.

"A check of news reports shows that several educators — including the recently installed N.C. Central University chancellor, Dr. Charlie Nelms, and two current finalists for Fayetteville State University’s chancellor position — have been candidates in public searches without losing their jobs.

Nelms, prior to being hired at NCCU in 2007, competed and became a finalist for presidential or chancellor posts at four other universities in a four-year period, including Fayetteville State in 2003, Florida A&M in 2004 and Tennessee State in 2005."

The NCCU and FSU search both became more open and I would believe that if the system chooses to do a search for the next Chancellor it will become more open, especially when it comes down to the finalists. Here at Iowa State, even with Dean searches they have become signficantly more open in allowing the campus community to interact with the finalists.

...but I have a sneaking suspicion that we may not have a search for the next leader. The UNC System President has the right to do that.

[aggielove]

Why would we use a search fimr with the name "Struggles?"
Seems like a recipe for disaster ;D

[captaggie]

Aggie08, is he required to provide the school a reason why he chooses to exercise that option?

[@ProfBellamy]

Mar 5, 2009 13:00:21 GMT -5 captaggie said:

Aggie08, is he required to provide the school a reason why he chooses to exercise that option?

I am not sure, sent an e-mail to another colleague of mine to get some clarification.