Public forums for presidential search to begin this month in addition to online engagement opportunities
University also releases services agreement detailing search timeline
The Ohio State University today announced additional information about the search for the 16th president of the university, including a series of public forums and the release of the services agreement with the search firm.
Starting next week, the Presidential Search Committee is holding a series of public forums to solicit feedback from the university community about the qualities, skills, attributes and experiences desired in a candidate.
“We greatly value the input and contributions from the Buckeye community,” said search committee chair and Trustee Lewis Von Thaer, who will host the forums with faculty member and co-chair of the University Advisory Subcommittee Susan Olesik.
“Susan and I, and all of our search committee members, look forward to an inclusive dialogue to help find the next great leader for Ohio State.”
Forums, which will also be livestreamed, are scheduled for:
- Wednesday, February 12, from 4 to 5 p.m. in room 115 in the Biomedical Research Tower, 460 West 12th Avenue
- Friday, February 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. in Multipurpose Room 165 in Thompson Library, 1858 Neil Avenue Mall
- Wednesday, February 19, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the U.S. Bank Conference Theater in the Ohio Union, 1739 North High Street
These opportunities join a pair of online engagement features designed to collect input from across the university and the broader community. Throughout the presidential search process, community members are encouraged to provide input and comments on the qualities and experiences recommended in a candidate and to submit candidate nominations. More information is available on the presidential search website.
In November, Ohio State President Michael V. Drake announced his plans to transition out of the role. He intends to remain on the faculty after his term ends.
Last month, the Board of Trustees announced the search process for seeking the new president and the formation of the Presidential Search Committee with support from a Presidential Selection Subcommittee and a University Advisory Subcommittee.
The Presidential Selection Subcommittee is composed of university trustees and works with the University Advisory Subcommittee, manages the use of the search firm Isaacson, Miller and ultimately will provide a candidate recommendation to the board.
The 20-member University Advisory Subcommittee is composed of students, faculty, staff and community stakeholders. The group is co-chaired by Olesik, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and faculty representative on the board’s Academic Affairs, Student Life and Research Committee, and David Frantz, faculty emeritus in the Department of English.
This week, Ohio State also released details of the services agreement between the university and the Boston-based talent search firm Isaacson, Miller.
The agreement includes a detailed explanation of the expected hiring process and an initial timeline, which may be adjusted as the search progresses. This initial timeline includes screening of applicants in March, interviews in April, an offer to the top candidate by May and a July start date.
The university will pay Isaacson, Miller $343,333 plus approved expenses to successfully execute the search. The firm is responsible for helping to gather input from the university community, developing a candidate profile and interviewing candidates before presenting them to the search committee.
Additional updates, such as dates and times for Presidential Search Committee meetings, will be shared throughout the process.
