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Procedure for the Selection of a President at University of Ottawa

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The appointment of the President shall be made by the Board of Governors, upon recommendation of its Executive Committee (the incumbent President being excused).

To assist the Board of Governors in the appointment of the most suitable candidate, a Selection Committee shall be struck and a list of relevant selection criteria established.

Establishment of a list of relevant selection criteria

(View the selection criteria)

• The Administrative Committee shall prepare a list of selection criteria which will be submitted for comment to the Academic Planning Committee of Senate and to Senate.
• Following this consultation, the Administrative Committee will submit the list of criteria, as amended if applicable, to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors.
• The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors will further amend the list if necessary, and submit it to the Board of Governors for approval.

Selection Committee

Composition

The Selection Committee shall be composed of eleven members:

• The Chair of the Board of Governors, who shall be the Chair of the Committee;
• The Vice-chair of the Board of Governors, who, in the absence of the Chair, shall chair the meetings of the Committee;
• Five members elected by Senate from amongst its members, including at least one dean;
• Four members appointed by the Board of Governors, from amongst its members, upon recommendation of its Executive Committee.

Quorum

Six members, including the Chair of the Board of Governors, or in his absence, the Vice-chair of the Board of Governors, constitute a quorum.

Meetings

The Selection Committee shall hold its meetings in camera and in strict confidentiality. Minutes shall be strictly confidential.

The Committee shall meet as often as necessary to fulfill its mandate, with view to ensuring that the appointment of a President may be made at least 6 months prior to the expiry date of the incumbent's term.

Secretarial support

The Secretary of the University will be the Secretary of the Committee. The funds necessary for the operation of the Committee will be provided by the Office of the Secretary.

Functions

1. Search for qualified candidates

   In the light of the approved list of selection criteria, the Selection Committee shall:

   1. Take all steps deemed necessary to obtain appropriate candidatures and nominations, such steps to include an invitation to all tenured professors and directors of service to confidentially submit names;
   2. Ascertain the availability of candidates and nominees;
   3. Obtain any information deemed relevant concerning candidates and nominees.

   In order to assist the Selection Committee, the Executive Committee may authorize the use of outside professional expertise to facilitate the search process.

2. Establishment of a short list of candidates

   Upon completion of the search process, the Selection Committee shall:

   4. Arrange for interviews with the candidates, who, in the opinion of the members, are most suitable for the position;
   5. Prepare a short list of candidates presented in alphabetical order;
   6. Seek, through the Chair of the Committee, the personal and confidential views of the members of Senate, and of the Associate Vice-Presidents. The chair will report to the Committee on the results of this consultation, keeping the identity of respondents confidential;
   7. Following this consultation, rank the candidates in order of priority;
   8. Submit to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors a short list of qualified candidates ranked in order of priority.

Appointment of the President by the Board

1. The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors will recommend to the Board of Governors the appointment of one candidate;
2. Upon approval by the Board of Governors, the Chair of the Board of Governors shall take the steps necessary to inform the various candidates, Senate, and the University community of such appointment;
3. Employment conditions will be determined by the Chair of the Board of Governors, within the guidelines established by the Executive Committee.

Confidentiality of records

All documents addressed to the Chair of the Selection Committee and identified as confidential shall be kept by the Chair for a period of two years.

March 25, 1983

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