The President presented the sabbatical requests for the upcoming year. He noted the brief summaries that were included in the packet. He recommends approval for all of the requests. 

L. Barrieau arrived at 8:21 a.m. 

The President informed the Board that the Academic Affairs Committee met and unanimously voted in support of both new programs. 

P. Marshall publicly thanked Dr. Franca Barricelli, Dr. Sara Levine, Dr. Amy McGlothlin, and Dr. Jonathan Harvey for their efforts in getting these programs together. She next explained all faucets of the programs. They are both essentially cost neutral. 

P. Marshall provided a summary of the advantages of this new program. She noted that there are no undergraduate programs in art therapy. 

K. Spinelli reported that the Presidential Search budget was approved at the Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee meeting last week. At the committee meeting they talked about the budget in detail and recommended the inclusion of an additional $5,000.00 for miscellaneous expenses. If the amount was not necessary, the funds would be returned back into the university budget. 

There was a discussion.

D. Phillips indicated that the meeting was ahead of schedule. 

The meeting reconvened at 8:43 a.m. 

D. Phillips welcomed Ryan Crawford, and Gregg Duyck, from WittKieffer. They provided their background and expertise. 

R. Crawford presented a PowerPoint that was discussed in detail (attached). He talked about the process of assessing campus needs and the listening tours that would be set-up to together information on the qualities required for the next President. They stated that they would work on developing a leadership profile and after holidays, be aggressive in recruitment efforts. He talked about the importance of developing a diverse candidate pool and their firm’s success in that area. 

A discussion ensued regarding the timeline, developing the presidential profile, diversity, search guarantee, placement success rate, campus communication, modality for meetings, onboarding the new president and candidate confidentiality. 

R. Crawford thanked the Board for taking the time to listen to their presentation and that he looks forward to working with Fitchburg State. 

D. Phillips welcomed Ellen Heffernan, and Dr. Sharon Meagher, from Spelman Johnson. They provided their background and expertise. 

E. Heffernan presented a PowerPoint that was discussed in detail (attached). She talked about the search process and how their firm would work closely with all constituents internally and externally.

A discussion ensued regarding the timeline, developing the presidential profile, diversity, search guarantee, placement success rate, campus communication, modality for meetings, onboarding the new president and candidate confidentiality. 

E. Heffernan and D. Meagher both stated they would be pleased if their firm was chosen to assist in searching for the next President of Fitchburg State. 

D. Phillips welcomed Nancy Crimmin, Shawn Hartman and William Kibler, from Academic Search.  They provided their background and expertise. 

They presented a PowerPoint that she discussed in detail (attached).  N. Crimmin discussed the phases for the search process. She talked about how they work with the search committee to meet timelines. 

B. Kibler talked about the strategies required in finding candidates. 

A discussion ensued regarding the timeline, developing the presidential profile, diversity, search guarantee, placement success rate, campus communication, modality for meetings, onboarding the new president and candidate confidentiality. 

S. Hartman thanked the Board for the opportunity and expressed that they would be very interested in providing their services. 

 D. Phillips welcomed Dr. Kim Morrison, and Euris Belle, from Diversified Search Group.  They provided their background and expertise. 

They presented a PowerPoint that was discussed in detail (attached).

K. Morrison noted that they are associated with a number of firms, and bring a broad array of experience. She commented that they are a high-touch firm and understand their clients. 

A discussion ensued regarding the timeline, developing the presidential profile, diversity, search guarantee, placement success rate, campus communication, modality for meetings, onboarding the new president and candidate confidentiality. 

K. Morrison stated that they are team-based and enjoy their work. They emphasized that they are hands on and that she and E. Belle would be involved in every area of the process. That noted that they come to meetings prepared with specific actions. 

D. Phillips welcomed Daniel Rodas, and Joanna Cook from Issacson, Miller. They provided their background and expertise. 

They presented a PowerPoint that was discussed in detail (attached). They talked about the search process and how their firm would work closely with all constituents internally and externally. D. Rodas would be the lead on all aspects for the search and J. Cook would serve as managing associate. J. Cook talked about the five phases of the search process. 

A discussion ensued regarding the timeline, developing the presidential profile, diversity, search guarantee, placement success rate, campus communication, modality for meetings, onboarding the new president and candidate confidentiality. 

D. Rodas’ concluded by saying we think highly of Fitchburg State and that they would be honored to do this important work to find the next President.  J. Cook commented that their commitment to equity and diversity is a personal promise by their firm. 

The Board took a ten-minute break at 10:47 a.m.

The Board reconvened at 11:03 a.m.

K. Spinelli left the meeting in person and joined remotely.

D. Phillips next talked about the Presidential Search website that would be created. The Board will review the website and discuss what will be incorporated before it goes live. 

A discussion ensued regarding the five search firms. The firms were similar in what they had to offer for services. The Board talked about the advantages and disadvantages that each firm could offer. 

J. Murdoch explained the role of the search firms is to present all viable candidates that meet the criteria of the presidential profile. They provide guidance, structure, and support. They are not going to tell why you should or should not hire someone. 

The consensus of the Board was a comfort level with WittKieffer.

There was a conversation regarding off site locations for confidential interviews. D. Tiernan offered access to a conference room in Boston that he could secure if needed. 

D. Phillips stated the need for a special meeting to discuss the Presidential Search Committee membership. After reviewing calendars, it was decided to hold a special Board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 3:30 p.m. 

The personnel actions were submitted for informational purposes.