In the hunt for The Gator Nation’s next leader, the Presidential Search Committee is reaching out to the greater UF community.
Appointed in May, a search committee was formed with the expectation of finding a qualified group of candidates to vie for the position of UF’s 12th president. The committee is now asking for input in its search process by Friday.
In an email, search committee chair Steven Scott asked that the UF community answer two questions on the search criteria of previous presidential searches. To provide input, students and staff can visit the presidential search website.
The feedback will form the framework for future discussions with candidates, said UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes.
“All of the pieces have to come together in order to formally launch the search for a new president,” Sikes said.
The search committee will meet Sept. 5 to review and consider the responses. All committee meetings will be live-streamed and archived.
An advertisement for President Bernie Machen’s position will be placed in The Chronicle for Higher Education.
Student Government President Cory Yeffet wrote in an email that the search committee and Board of Trustees have approved a very comprehensive and thorough list of qualifications.
“With our goal of becoming a top 10 public institution, it is especially important the next UF President has a distinguished academic career, in addition to the operational expertise that are needed to lead a $4.4 billion dollar operation,” Yeffet said.
Over the summer, an outside consultant provided the search committee with a range of compensation for the next president, and a marketing plan was approved along with the Chronicle advertisement.
Sikes said the position criterion is extensive.
“To sum it up, basically we’re looking for national leaders with a strong academic background, a research academic background,” she said.
Students like UF biology junior Edward Daly find the search and new criteria important.
“I think they need to find someone who will uphold Rising UF,” Daly, 20, said. “We’re a well-rounded school, and we need to find a president who’s focused on enriching academics and sports.”
The search committee is made up of trustees, the immediate past Student Body president, alumni, faculty members and members of the community who work on a volunteer basis, Sikes said.
“The search will be ongoing, and the outreach will continue until we develop a highly qualified pool of applicants.”
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 8/28/2014 under the headline "UF presidential search continues, requests student input"]
UF President Bernie Machen gives his State of the University speech Thursday in the Reitz Union. He talked about the development of UF eCampus, Florida Core curriculum and expanding faculty resources, among other projects.
