Syracuse University

At their Aug. 1 meeting, members of Syracuse University's Chancellor's Search Committee heard from Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw on the state of the University; received an update on the search process from R. William (Bill) Funk, national managing director of Korn/Ferry International's Education Practice and consultant for the search; and reviewed preliminary findings of an online survey.

Shaw identified 12 "full throttle," or front burner, items that should be completed before the next Chancellor arrives. He also identified longer-term challenges that will face the new Chancellor, including:

• Continue progress on the Academic Plan.
  
  
• Monitor the external environment for changes that could cause the University's fiscal situation to deteriorate, and take action as necessary.
  
  
• Step up efforts to retain faculty and students of color. Further internationalize the curriculum and make study abroad possible for far greater numbers of SU students.
  
  
• Set clear priorities for the Syracuse Signature Campaign, which is expected to raise at least $550 million by 2012.
  
  
• Improve the University's retention rate and student quality.
  
  
• Decide on priorities and timing for remaining portions of the Space Plan.
  

The active recruitment of candidates is under way. According to Funk, advertisements have been placed in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education and Black Issues in Higher Education. To further solicit nominations, Korn/Ferry has sent more than 600 letters to leaders in higher education, and has targeted several sitting presidents who are ready for a move and AAU provosts who are ready to advance their careers. In addition, Joseph O. Lampe, chair of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Chancellor's Search Committee, has sent letters to 320 friends of and donors to the University.

Funk notes that all networks are in place and the search is proceeding on schedule. He expects interviews to begin by mid- to late October.

The online survey-to assess SU's greatest strengths, the challenges it faces and the qualities that would be most desirable in its next Chancellor-was posted shortly before Commencement 2003. To date, it has elicited more than 300 responses from students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Members of the University community who have not yet responded to the survey are invited to do so at http://sunews.syr.edu/chancellorsearch/
index.html. The survey can also be accessed from the University's home page by clicking on the Chancellor's Search button. Responses will be accepted through Sept. 9.