Atlanta — September 8, 2005

The search for a new chancellor for Georgia’s 34 public colleges and universities is progressing on target, according to Elridge W. McMillan, chair of the Board of Regents’ Chancellor Search Advisory Committee. McMillan delivered that news in an update to the University System of Georgia’s governing body at their meeting in Atlanta.

McMillan said the Search Advisory Committee met for its initial meeting on Tuesday, which he characterized as primarily organizational. Eleven of the 14 members on the committee participated in the meeting, either in person or via conference call, along with representatives from Baker-Parker Global Executive Search, the Atlanta-based firm retained by the regents.

During the meeting, the committee approved a set of qualifications for the new chancellor’s position, along with a position paper that will be used to brief potential candidates on the University System’s assets, achievements and challenges. Both documents also were approved by the full Board of Regents in their subsequent meeting. The Board’s action clears the way for the advisory committee to begin formally advertising and accepting applications for the position.

“We are extremely pleased with the progress we are making,” said McMillan. “The Board’s action keeps us on schedule to have a new chancellor selected and named by the end of this calendar year.”

McMillan said the qualifications developed by the committee and Baker-Parker call for an individual able to “exercise imaginative, innovative and persuasive leadership.” In addition to the usual requirements for such a leadership post, McMillan said, “We are seeking someone who has a history of creative solutions to challenges and who exhibits a willingness and ability to confront difficult choices.”

Over the next several months, the Board of Regents will receive monthly reports from McMillan on the progress of the advisory committee, leading up to the presentation of final candidates for the board’s review.

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