Should WVU’s search process be open or closed?

As West Virginia University begins its search for a new President, the question arises as to whether the process should be open or closed.

WVU Board of Governors Chairman Jim Dailey has argued for a closed process, one where none of the names of the finalists is released to the public.  Clemson conducted just such a search before hiring away Jim Clements from WVU.

Dailey—and reportedly other members of the BOG—believe a closed process provides for a broader field because it includes candidates who do not want their current institution to know they are job hunting.

“It limits the field dramatically,” Dailey told me recently. He adds that although he is a big supporter of Clements, the selection process that led to his hiring was limited because it was public.

“There were numerous candidates that wanted to apply that were interested that were good candidates, but because of the public nature (of the search), they turned away,” Dailey told me.  “The institution they were with did not know that they were seeking another job.”

However, the state Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) requires an open search.  The guidelines for filling the vacancy say that “Interviews with finalists, as determined by the governing board, shall be conducted on campus, and during the campus visits, students, classified employees, non-classified employees, faculty, campus administrators, community leaders, alumni, and other individuals shall be invited to meet with the candidates, and their comments shall be solicited and evaluated by the governing board.”

HEPC Chancellor Paul Hill, in an email response to my questions, indicted he has no interest in changing the policy.  “The input of these stakeholders is important and is evaluated by the governing board,” he said.

Hill adds that it would take an act of the Legislature to change the rule, a step that seems unlikely since HEPC wants to keep the status quo, despite the wishes of key members of the Board of Governors.

An open hiring method is supposed to add credibility to the process; faculty and staff generally feel more vested if they have a role in the decision. However, that did not work when WVU hired Mike Garrison in 2007, a decision that was criticized as inside cronyism.  Following the Heather Bresch degree scandal, the University faculty senate took a “no confidence” vote and Garrison eventually resigned.

Each process has its advantages and disadvantages.  Dailey is likely correct when he says a closed search would produce a better field, but in this state our radar is always alert for the “good-old-boy” network.

That’s not to suggest this Board of Governor’s would stoop to that. Still, it’s best to keep the process as open as is feasible, which should add credence to the choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 





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