Trustees Dragging out Search

To many, FAMU's search for a new president is moving at a snails pace.

It has been a little over a year since Fred Gainous was unceremoniously dismissed as FAMU's 9th president. While the BOT moved with all deliberate speed to remove Mr. Gainous it has been notoriously slow in engaging in a process to find the next permanent leader of FAMU. It took the Board six months just to appoint a search committee. To date, the trustees have yet to hire a search consultant (executive search firm) or advertise the position and begin accepting nonminations or resumes.

Now, the search committee is holding public forums to gain input into some of the qualities our next leader should have, nevermind the fact that the committee has already crafted a list of its own expectations. If this process seems a little disingenuous it is.

So far, the following forums have been scheduled:

Alumni forum, during the National Alumni Association winter meeting, Jan. 5-7, Miami.
Faculty forum, at Faculty Senate meeting, Jan. 17.
There also will be a January forum for students. An exact date has yet to be assigned for the forum, which will be hosted by FAMU's student government. And there will be one with community leaders as well, sometime early in 2006.

The presidential search committee, led by the Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr., intends to present a final snap shot of the requisite skills and qualifications FAMU's next leader should have at the March 2 board of trustees meeting.

What's expected from the next president
The vision and expected qualifications of the next FAMU president, as suggested by search committee chairman, The Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr.
* An earned, terminal degree (the highest degree in given academic field)
* Five or more years as a successful president in higher education
* Proven leadership in higher education, including research
* Strong budget, finance and managerial skills to include a record that is clearly documented
* Exceptional leadership, organizational and communication skills
* Evidence of being a student advocate and motivator
* Proven record of successful fund-raising
* Knowledge of Florida's university governance system
* Recorded history of positive and outstanding community and civic involvement
* An avid connection and understanding of the historic and scholastic significance of HBCU's (historically black colleges and universities)
* A positive and current relationship, or ability to establish a relationship, with key officials and leaders in the federal government, foundations and corporations
* Documented, successful experiences of working with students, faculty, administrators, staff and alumni
* Must have impeccable integrity, an abundance of energy, a competitive spirit and a winsome personality
* Must be thoughtful and transparent, a global thinker and a visionary
* Proven commitment to excellence at all levels within the university community
* Ability to separate personal and professional needs and relationships from what is best for the university
(Source: FAMU presidential search committee.)

The committee hopes to present three to five candidates for consideration at a later date. Exactly when? "I don't have an idea when we would have a new president seated," Holmes said.