Presidential Search: Policies & Guidelines

The Presidential Search process is governed by the Policy on Procedure for Review/Selection of the President which vests the Board of Governors with the authority to appoint the President.

Faculty, staff and student members of the Presidential Selection Committee are appointed by the Board of Governors. The Presidential Selection Committee will also be subject to the Good Governance Policy for the Board of Governors, and related confidentiality and conflict of interest requirements.

The work of the Presidential Selection Committee will also be informed by key University framework documents, including the St. Mary’s University Strategic Plan.

Procedure for Review or Selection of President

Procedure for Review/Selection of the President

  1. The Chair of the Board asks incumbent if he/she wishes to seek an additional term.
  2. If the answer is ‘yes’, a review committee is established by the Board. If the answer is ‘no’ then a selection committee is established.
  3. The Board establishes a Review/Selection Committee composed of the following Board members:
    1. Chair (and Chair of the Committee)
    2. Vice-Chair
    3. Chancellor’s designate
    4. Faculty representative
    5. Administrative staff representative
    6. Student representative
    7. One other Board member

Review Committee

  1. If a Review Committee is struck, the various constituencies within the university community shall be asked if the incumbent should be reappointed.
    • Board
    • Faculty
    • Staff
    • Students
    • Foundation Board
    • Community Advisory Council
    • Bishop
  2. The committee should meet with the incumbent.
    Approval Authority Responsible Office Effective Date Date Last Revisited
    Board of Governors Board of Governors November 3, 2003 August 20, 2015
  3. After reviewing the incumbent’s performance etc. and any responses under item #2.1, the committee shall make a recommendation to the Board.

Selection Committee

  1. If the committee is a selection committee it should meet to establish the criteria for the appointment and establish a timeline for advertising, interviews, etc.
  2. At the conclusion of the interviews, the committee should meet and decide on a recommendation to the Board.
  3. The committee may make recommendations as to the terms of the appointment.