CBU seeks new president
sYDneY
The search for a new president for Cape Breton University is moving forward.
The university issued a request for proposals for executive search services in May and the presidential search committee recently selected Odgers Berndtson.
The search firm will assist with the process to select the next CBU president. The firm will work with the committee to design the consultation process, with a candidate recommendation to be made to the board of governors no later than Jan. 31.
Robert Sampson, recently named chair of the board of governors, said traditionally the process would be similar to hiring a senior CEO for any company.
“It’s not simply a matter of putting a couple of ads in the local newspaper, the search is as broad as we could possible make it in an effort to secure the right candidate,” he said. “The purpose of (the executive search firm) engagement is to work with us to sort out the process of what info we should gather to determine what we are looking for, together with our search committee.”
The process for a new president started in an effort to replace former president David Wheeler, who was removed from the job late last year.
In December, the CBU board of governors voted to accept the terms of a negotiated settlement that saw Wheeler leave the university. Prior to that, Wheeler had been placed on leave with pay pending the outcome of an independent investigation into Sampson what it termed governance issues at CBU.
The executive search firm will help locate potential candidates in Atlantic Canada as well as nationally and internationally.
Sampson does expect there will be candidates from within CBU.
“I might be more surprised if there wasn’t, but I don’t know who because there’s no formal application process launched yet,” said Sampson. “I understand from times gone by when they’ve done this process, there is usually a substantial number of applicants.
“I can honestly say at this stage there is no preference to anybody, we’re going into this very open minded,” he said. “It’s an absolute open process and we need to do our kind of own diligence before we start trying to identify and tap on the shoulder of people that may be interested, that may want to apply.”
Last Friday, a presidential search website was launched. The website offers such things as a section where residents can be involved in the search process, starting with a community survey.
“It’s fairly straight forward and it provides the opportunity for people to provide their thoughts on what type of president we are looking for, what we should be looking for, and what ingredients that people feel are important,” said Sampson.
Town hall sessions are currently being planned, however dates for those events have not yet been determined.
Residents wanting to participate in the community survey are asked to visit the website presidentialsearch.cbu.ca.