The search committee for Murray State University’s next president formally met for the first time on Friday to discuss their process and timeline.
Materials for the position advertisement are expected to be ready late January for early February release. The committee will review applicants until filled and set meeting dates each month ahead of the May deadline.
They are tasked with presenting two or three qualified candidates to the full board Board of Regents.
Finalists will be invited to meet with the campus community in a public forum. The Board of Regents expects to choose a president-elect no later than May.
The university’s general counsel and human resources officials stressed confidentiality in the search process.
Committee member and former university president Tim Miller said he wants the committee to be able to say they did everything possible to find a good candidate so they are not criticized. Miller said he has reached out to past presidents, regents, alumni and others for advice about getting the best possible applicants.
Committee members agreed to keep the salary open-ended and negotiable.
The Board of Regents last week voted to not proceed with a national search firm and for the interim president to be made an automatic finalist.
Bob Jackson is serving as interim following the departure of Bob Davies in August.
