Dear members of the UBC community
I am writing to inform you that the search process for the next president of UBC is now under way. However, first I want to express my most sincere thanks to Interim President Martha Piper for stepping into this very important role, bringing her immense experience and limitless passion for the university.
With the resignation of President Gupta, the past couple of months have been challenging for the university. However, I am confident that we will secure an excellent successor to lead UBC, and I write today to ask all members of our community for their assistance in finding the best possible candidate for this vitally important role.
The Board of Governors and the Senates of UBC have approved the Terms of Reference for a search committee of 21 members broadly representative of the university community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni. For further information on the committee’s Terms of Reference, including the exact composition of the committee and the process by which members will be selected, please visit: http://bog.ubc.ca/?page_id=10201
The committee’s primary task will be to identify and consider qualified individuals for the position, and to recommend its preferred candidate to the Board of Governors for approval. An executive search firm with experience in university presidential searches will be engaged to assist the search committee. The committee’s aim is to present its nomination to the Board of Governors in time to enable the new president to take office in the summer of 2016.
The committee will solicit views from our university community on those qualities we should be looking for in the next president. You may convey your views via email at the address noted below, or in discussion through a number of open forums that will be held this fall for the purpose of soliciting those views.
The job of a modern university president is one of the most complex and demanding leadership roles in society, and it is of critical importance to the future of the university. Our new president will inherit an excellent leadership team and an exceptional group of faculty, staff, and students from Canada and around the world, all focused on furthering UBC’s success.
I want you to know that we are determined to find the best person we can to lead this outstanding institution, and are confident that with your help, we will succeed.
I urge you to take part in the search process and share your views with the committee. Please address your comments and advice to:
The University of British Columbia
Presidential Search Committee
c/o Reny Kahlon, Secretary
The Old Administration Building
6328 Memorial Road
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Email: president.search@ubc.ca
Website: http://bog.ubc.ca/?page_id=10201
Please rest assured that I will keep you informed of our progress in the months to come.
Lindsay Gordon
Chancellor, The University of British Columbia
Chair, Presidential Search Committee