To understand the Board’s expectations with respect to the search process and the authority granted to the Search Committee, the Board of Trustees charges the Presidential Search Committee:

1. To develop a presidential search profile that will guide the search and selection process and be shared with candidates, nomination sources, and all other interested parties.

2. To adopt a timetable for the search that will permit the appointment of a president by June 2007, but to remain flexible regarding timing in order to yield the best presidential appointment possible.

3. To conduct an active national search to attract highly qualified candidates.  The Committee should vigorously seek the names of qualified persons from a wide variety of sources in and beyond the Oberlin College community.

4. To search for an individual who will best realize the mission of this institution, as a liberal arts college and a conservatory of music, to achieve – and to enable its students and faculty to achieve – academic, artistic and musical excellence.  The Board believes that Oberlin’s two overarching and interactive goals, as set forth in the Strategic Plan, are:

• to enhance the value – and the perception of value – of an Oberlin education in ways that strengthen and broaden Oberlin’s appeal, serve its mission and values, and strengthen its leadership position and reputation in liberal arts and conservatory education; and
• to attain financial sustainability by enhancing each of its revenues streams, in order to enhance the quality and value of the education it provides its students.

Successful candidates should demonstrate the following critical attributes:

a. vision and leadership skills of the highest caliber  
b. integrity of character and self-confidence
c. authenticity and warmth of personality
d. a consistent expectation of excellence
e. appreciation for the history, culture and values of Oberlin and the contributions of the College and Conservatory
f. respect for diversity and cultural differences
g. accomplished communication skills
h. fundraising success
i. strong management skills and financial understanding

This individual should have the potential to flourish in a diverse community of individuals who value creativity, independence, breadth of curiosity, and enlightened engagement with the social, cultural and environmental issues of our time.  He or she should be entrepreneurial, and capable of prioritizing, making difficult decisions and implementing effective change by building trust in a community of sometimes strongly divergent views.  It is desirable but not essential that this person shall have had academic experience.

5. To make periodic reports to the Board of Trustees and members of the Oberlin community about the progress of the search.

6. To protect the dignity of the prospective candidates and the integrity of the search process through the observance of strict confidentiality in the conduct of the search.  The Presidential Search Committee shall adopt, sign and abide by a code of conduct.  Any member of the Search Committee who breaches confidentiality may be removed from the committee.

7. To bring the name(s) of one or more candidates, in priority order, as finalists to the Board of Trustees, which retains the right to select and appoint the president.