With a committee now in place, the University is one step further in the search for a successor for Leonard Sandridge, who will retire as executive vice president and chief operating officer in June.
University President Teresa A. Sullivan announced the members of the committee Wednesday after having asked the community in August to recommend individuals who might be interested in serving. The committee will begin identifying and recommending candidates for the position.
Led by Commerce School Dean Carl Zeithaml, the 16 members of the search committee represent many areas of the University, from the Board of Visitors and conference services to one undergraduate member of the Student Council Safety and Wellness Committee. Also included are faculty and staff members from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and the Architecture, Engineering, Law and Medical Schools.
"When looking at a position of this stature and in terms of its scope at the University, you need a broad range of perspectives," said Mark Hampton, search committee member and associate dean for administration and planning for the Education School.
Sandridge first came to the University in 1967 as a member of the internal audit staff. After a number of other positions within the administration, he took his current position in 1990. Sullivan noted at an August press conference that the executive vice president has handled a broad range of responsibilities during this 20-year period - which will make it difficult to find an individual competent enough to replace him entirely. Consequently, Sullivan is looking to revise the job description upon careful study of Sandridge's portfolio. Already, the athletic director, who currently reports to the executive vice president, will begin reporting directly to the University president.
The executive vice president is nominated by the University president and elected by the Board of Visitors. The position includes supervision of the financial affairs of all non-academic support areas at the University, including student affairs, management and budget, finance, human resources, emergency preparedness and police. Managerial and financial oversight of the University Health System is also included.
Candidates from within the University as well as from across the nation will be considered for the position, and the first meeting of the search committee is scheduled for Oct. 22.
"I imagine that we will hear about what the president wants us to do," said Engineering Prof. Lloyd Harriott, who is serving on the committee.
Hampton expects the first meeting to include a charge to the search committee and a general discussion of committee expectations as well as a time frame for filling the position. He said the committee's job is to "identify strong candidates and get them to a position to be interviewed formally."
More information will come with time, Hampton said, adding that he hopes to find a candidate with a genuine love for the University. He added that the position requires resourcefulness, flexibility and an understanding of the enterprise of higher education, as well as the unique characteristics of the University.
Darden student and committee member Phillip Green said his casual conversations with faculty members suggest that the individual chosen as Sandridge's successor will have to be like-minded, with a similar level of competence that will allow the University to continue and build upon its successes.
"Sandridge is legendary, and it will take a strong effort to find someone who can fill the role that he currently fills," Hampton said.
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