1982-1983 SENATE DOCUMENT #46 IDC DOCUMENT #6 FACULTY SEARCH COMMITTEE I. The Search Committee comprises one part of the faculty employment process at UNCA. This process is controlled by the Code of the University as well as by State and Federal laws governing employment by public institutions and including regulations concerning Affirmative Action and non-discrimination. In the employment of faculty members at UNCA, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs has been delegated responsibility for all matters, from the allocation of vacant positions to the recommendations to the Chancellor. In the hiring of tenure-track persons, the Board of Trustees acts on the recommendation of the Chancellor. The Board has delegated to the Chancellor the final decision on the hiring of non-tenure-track faculty members. II. The Purpose of the Search is to find the person most qualified in the needed expertise and most suited to the purposes and character of this particular academic community. The achievement of this purpose may be modified by the circumstances of the employment market, rank and salary available, etc. III. The Function of the Search Committee A. To clarify (to the extent that they have not already been determined) the professional and personal qualifications to be sought in applicants for the position. -- Areas and level of expertise, allied areas, special needs for personal characteristics, etc. B. To screen all applicants in order to determine those most qualified. C. To determine the qualified applicants who are members of minority groups or women. D. To recommend to Vice Chancellor several applicants to be invited for on-campus interviews. E. To participate in these on-campus interviews and to recommend to the Vice Chancellor the persons to whom offers of employment shall be made. IV. Role of Chairman of Search Committee A. To lead the Committee in performing its functions 1. in setting up its procedures, files, and individual assignments 2. in maintaining objectivity in assessing applicants' qualifications 3. in directing attention to affirmative action consideration 4. in checking applicants' references. B. To act as liaison with Office of Academic Affairs 1. in developing advertisement, its placement in journals and deadline for applications 2. in determining the availability of travel funds for candidates 3. in meeting requirements and reporting needs of Affirmative Action 4. in offering the position to the candidate and carrying on any subsequent salary or rank discussions C. To make arrangements for interviews and presentation by candidate 1. in setting up dates and interview schedules 2. in arranging travel, lodging and meals 3. in arranging for reimbursement for expenses incurred by candidate V. Composition of Search Committees The types indicated below reflect the normal hiring procedures. As particular needs and circumstances arise, variations may become necessary and should be approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. All committee members and the committee chairman are explicitly appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. A. Search for Department Chairman Because of the nature of this office, involving more than disciplinary expertise and calling for qualities of leadership, communication and awareness of organizational realities, this Search Committee extends beyond the confines of the department. Depending on the size and composition of the department, there should normally be two senior faculty members from the department and three department chairmen or program directors on the committee. The tenure-track department members who are not on the search committee should be consulted on the academic qualifications of the candidates selected by the Committee to visit the campus. All department members should have the opportunity to interview the candidates. B. Search for a Department Member In departments of five or fewer members, the department as a whole should act as a search committee. In departments of six or more the Chairman will recommend to the Vice Chancellor the names of those to serve on the Search Committee. Normally these should include the senior faculty and the tenured junior faculty before non-tenured junior persons are considered for membership. Except for unusual circumstances, the Department Chairman shall serve as the Chairman of the Search Committee. C. Interdepartmental Searches When there is a search for a person whose major responsibilities will extend beyond one academic department, a committee will be constituted by selecting persons from those areas in which the new faculty member will work.