The Board of Trustees interviewed three presidential search firms at last week's regular monthly meeting. Following the interviews, trustees decided to eliminate two of the firms - Stanton Chase International and Northwest Research Education Center - and to begin a formal request for proposal process.

A third firm, Academic Search, wasn't eliminated, but trustees want to meet Alfredo de los Santos, Jr., who would be the firm's primary contact. He was unable to attend the board interview.

At the same time, the Board decided to launch a formal request for proposals from search firms, which would allow the cost of the presidential search to exceed $50,000. Without a formal RFP, the search would be limited to $50,000 and the three firms interviewed were the only ones to apply.

"A lot of firms wouldn't even talk to us for $50,000," said trustee Mark Martinez. Chair Bruce Benson said trustees still may offer the contract to Academic Search after an additional meeting, but that issuing a RFP will save time. "If we have to go that route we'll be able to move more quickly," he said.

All of the employees at Academic Search have a higher education background, consultant Jamie Ferrare told the Board. "Our staff come from academia but we also understand business," he said, adding that a presidential search may involve looking at candidates from outside of higher education. With 25 years of experience, Academic Search has placed more than 600 college presidents, vice presidents of academic affairs and deans. De los Santos, who would be the primary contact on the search, is a professor at Arizona State University a former vice chancellor for educational and student development for Maricopa Community College. He will be invited to attend the Board's September meeting. To read more about Academic Search, go to
http://www.academic-search.org/index.htm

Stanton Chase International, a global executive search firm, is the 19th largest executive search firm in the world. It specializes in nine sectors, CEO/governance, consumer goods and retail, financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, hospitality and travel, manufacturing and engineering, professional services, natural resources and energy, and technology.

"We balance local knowledge with a global outlook," said managing partner Ted Muendel. "We understand the business of running a university," said Muendel, noting that he has served as a trustee of Lehigh University and president of its alumni association.

William Chance of Northwest Research Education Center emphasized that his organization is not a search firm but rather a consulting firm that specializes in policy level higher education issues. Chance normally doesn't conduct searches but is interested in working with Metro State. That's because it was hired in 2000 by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to examine higher education performance in Colorado. That report helped open the door to Metro State gaining a new independent governing board.

"If you want a firm that understands what Metro is, where it can go and what it can expect to be we're your firm," Chance said.

Also at the meeting, Faculty Senate President Joan Foster urged the Board to hire a college president with experience in higher education and administration and in teaching. "I have a totally wide open mind," Benson responded. "I want to find the best person, from academia or not."