The Presidential Search Committee, the group charged with finding Binghamton University’s next president, met for the first time yesterday.

The meeting marked the beginning of the committee’s search for high-caliber candidates to lead BU into the next decade.

In the meeting, committee members discussed general search procedures, including the importance of confidentiality, with SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and the board of trustees. The committee also began formulating criteria for a new president.

Kathryn Grant Madigan, the Presidential Search Committee chair and a partner at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, led the meeting. She said she could not comment on specifics of the search procedures for reasons of confidentiality.

She said that the next step in the process is to develop a leadership statement that outlines what the committee wants in a new president.

‘The council has put together a lot of important qualities, but before we can move on, we will need to figure out where we are going with the leadership statement,’ Madigan said. ‘This will make us better poised to then define a president who can help achieve those goals.’

Madigan said that academic entrepreneurship was identified as an important criterion to consider in a presidential candidate.

One search firm proposal stated that President Lois DeFleur has set a ‘remarkable trajectory of excellence in academic entrepreneurship.’ The committee will look to continue that emphasis.

According to Madigan, the process of recruiting the right candidates for a presidential job has become more difficult, since the requirements for the position have expanded.

‘Not only do you have to be politically savvy and have a strong academic background, but you also need have to have corporate ability, be able to raise funds and inspire confidence as a president,’ she said.

Madigan could not comment further on the criteria deemed important in a presidential candidate.

With the help of the chancellor’s representative and an independent search consultant, the committee will draft the leadership statement to define the needs of BU and the leadership style desired in a new president. This statement, similar to a job description for prospective employees, will be instrumental in guiding the committee in selecting a new presidential candidate.

Over the next few weeks, an independent search firm is expected to be chosen to assist in the search process. The committee will look for a consulting firm that understands the culture and needs of Binghamton University.

Once chosen, the firm will work with the committee to refine its leadership statement and craft a job description. The firm will also be responsible for selecting qualified candidates for review.

There are several firms under consideration, but none could be named for confidentiality reasons.

Kathryn Howard, a sophomore majoring in political science, was chosen by the BU Council to be the sole undergraduate student representative on the Presidential Search Committee. She expressed her commitment to uphold the viewpoints of students. She added that she wants to ‘make sure that the next president keeps [the University’s] excellent standards and reputation, while strengthening what Binghamton University has to offer.’

Howard said that since undergraduate students make up a large majority of the campus population, she wants to make sure their opinions are accounted for.

Madigan urged students to provide continual feedback on the search process. Howard and Bonnie Jenson, chair of the Professional Employee Committee, are working to set up forums to promote community interaction in the search. There will be one on-campus forum aimed toward current students, one off-campus forum at the University Downtown Center for the Binghamton community and one forum in New York City geared toward alumni.

Specific dates have not yet been set for the forums, but Howard expects the former two to occur in late April or early May. Students are also encouraged to submit feedback by visiting www2.binghamton.edu/presidential-search.