Bowles gives charge to Chancellor Search Committee

Greensboro, N.C.-Friday March 13, 2009

At 3 p.m. the Chancellor Search Committee was joined by University of North Carolina system President Erskine Bowles in the Alumni Foundation Event Center. Citing a very specific list of what he wants in the next candidate, Bowles briefly spoke with the board in front of a body of about 75 people from the community.

"You will never have a more important job for your University. Just like any organization, you’ve got to have the right fit, and you have to have a Chancellor that meets the criteria that I describe," Bowles said. "I am confident that if we find someone that meets these, you will see us want to fall behind them.”

Some of the most important things that Bowles mentioned were his desire for the next Chancellor to be focused on continuing to raise the academic standards, maintaining good financial records, fundraising more outside capital and building a partnership with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

"Bring me a Chancellor who will look at your cross town neighbor UNCG and see not an enemy, not a competitor, but a partner," Bowles said. "The next Chancellor needs to be someone who will continue to push A&T upward and forward."

While no questions were asked of Bowles in regards to Chancellor Battle's resignation, he did briefly speak on the sudden decision to leave. Bowles said that he understood Chancellor Battle's reasons for leaving, and respected them.

“ I know that none of us in this room who were involved in the previous search for a Chancellor expected to be back as soon as we are. It’s regrettable that we are," Bowles said. " I want to publicly thank him (Battle). He inherited numerous financial problems, and since he’s arrived, we have gone a long, long way. He has raised that academic standards of this university that we love so deeply. The question you should ask is will they keep this university on the track of higher education standards.”

UNC Association of Student Governments President T. Greg Doucette joined the community for the meeting. Doucette sat amongst the crowd discreetly, observing the proceedings.

"As North Carolina A&T's student representative to the Board of Governors, I'm pleased with the committee's composition and confident with their work today," Doucette said. "The leadership of Chairman McCain, Dr. Speight-Buford, and President Bass and other members will ensure A&T has a Chancellor of the highest possible caliber. At the students' request I will be staying apprised of the committee's deliberations, and I look forward to the final result.

Board Chairman Franklin McCain discussed the search committee's commitment to being more open to the public amist concerns of secrecy of decision making. McCain promised to make things public, and to keep the communication lines open.

"This committee will be trying to be as public as possible," MCain said. "The biggest secret about this committee is that there will be no secrets. There will be no opportunity for a mass review of the applications submitted to the board. That won’t happen."

At the request of the committee, the students, alumni, and community is encouraged to be active in the selection process through submitting what they would also like to see in the new Chancellor. The University has promised to have a site up specifically for that on the school home page as early as Monday.

Other forums of feedback, such as meetings and emails, are also encouraged.

The committee will meet again on march 18, and have asked that all public forums begin on March 23.