Dear Members of the University of Alaska Community,

The Board of Regents wishes to thank all those who met with our Presidential Search Consultant, Dr. Elaine H. Hairston of Academic Search, during her September visit. Your willingness to share your aspirations and concerns for the upcoming period of leadership is helpful to us all.

Since her visit to Anchorage and Fairbanks, Dr. Hairston also spoke with representatives of the University of Alaska Southeast on two separate occasions and with UAS Chancellor John Pugh. She has also had additional email correspondence with those who have shared additional thoughts with her.

Dr. Hairston has prepared a draft of the position profile for the UA community’s information. Should anyone wish to comment on it, you may do so directly to Dr. Hairston at Elaine.Hairston@academic-search.com. The draft profile will be formally reviewed by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and by the Board of Regents. Once the Board of Regents endorses the document, Dr. Hairston will formally launch the ad for this position in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other newspapers, online and in letters to leaders in American higher education.

At that time, nominations and applications will be invited. We hope that you will be actively engaged in this search by identifying outstanding leaders for the President of the University of Alaska. Directions on how to do so will be posted here, likely around mid-November.

Again, our thanks for your interest and support.

Sincerely,
Cynthia Henry
Chair, Search Committee for the President of the University of Alaska
Chair, University of Alaska Board of Regents

Action to Date

---10/23/09 - A draft profile is available for public review.� Please contact Elaine Hairston with your comments.� Draft Presidential Profile

---09/2009 Elaine H. Hairston, Ph.D., Senior Consultant with Academic Search met with UA community.

---The Full Board met via audioconference on August 24, 2009 and selected AcademicSearch as the firm for the presidential search.

---07/30/2009 Message from Cynthia Henry, Chair of the UA Board of Regents.

---UA Board of Regents met July 10, 2009 to discuss the president’s contract, finance matters, and personnel matters. In accordance with state law, this meeting was held in executive session.

---An RFP was issued on July 8, 2009 for executive search services. Deadline for proposals is July 30, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Alaska time. A copy of the RFP has been posted to: www.uaf.edu/purch/solicitations.html.