Presidential Search for UNT

MootPoint · September 1, 2005

An Official Message from the University of North Texas System

September 1, 2005

Dear UNT faculty, staff and students:

The UNT System Board of Regents and Chancellor Lee Jackson are preparing a search for the next president to lead our university. Regents Robert Nickell and Gayle Strange, both alumni of the university, will co-chair the search. Students, faculty, staff, regents, alumni and regional leaders will comprise the membership of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee.

Our search preparations follow Dr. Norval Pohl’s announcement on July 19 that he will not seek or accept an extension of his contract beyond its end on August 31, 2006. While we’re confident that Dr. Pohl will continue to advance UNT toward its goals during this academic year, we’re also mindful that his pursuit of higher education and private enterprise opportunities outside UNT may result in his departure before the end of this academic year.

We believe it is prudent to launch our search this month, with the goal of identifying a new president by Spring 2006, if possible. Of course, our search for a new president must by driven by our mission of finding the right person for the job, not by a deadline.

Although we haven’t yet set all of the specifics of the search process, an important and early step in the process will be identifying the qualities, strengths, experiences and characteristics our University community seeks in our future president. To that end, Chancellor Jackson will hold discussions in September and October with students, faculty, staff and alumni groups to talk about the University’s goals and the ideal profile of our next president.

The search for a new president to lead UNT will require recruitment expertise. The UNT System will retain a major search firm with a successful record in higher education senior executive searches to work with the Search Advisory Committee. Together, they will identify candidates and encourage them to apply, review their credentials, and interview and recommend highly qualified candidates for consideration by the UNT Board of Regents, which will have the final authority to approve the selection of a new president.

According to state law, when the regents are prepared to announce the name or names of finalists being considered for the position, they must do so at least 21 days prior to a final vote by the Board. This time period allows the campus community to meet the candidate or candidates and to assess their compatibility with UNT and its priorities.

We’re confident that UNT’s reputation and our commitment to grow as a student-centered research institution will attract strong and proven leaders who will want to join us. Our on-going strategic planning process will lay the groundwork for action over the next few years and will be of great benefit to the next president of UNT.

After its first meeting, the Search Advisory Committee will launch a Presidential Search web site to seek your thoughts and to provide you with progress reports. Of course, we hope you’ll also participate in forums when finalists visit our campus.

Thank you for all you do to make the University of North Texas successful.

Bobby Ray

Chair, UNT System Board of Regents

good_ken · September 1, 2005

I heard that the leading candidate is Jackson's old court reporter, as they are already used to doing exactyly what he says.

Stan R · September 1, 2005

I heard that the leading candidate is Jackson's old court reporter, as they are already used to doing exactyly what he says.
←

rim shot!

DallasGreen · September 1, 2005

rim shot!
←

Also understand that if Dr. Pohl leaves before the new Pres. is identified that Jackson will appoint himself the Interim President. Interesting since he seems to view his role as Chancellor in the same light as his past County Judgeship. UNT-Denton is his court, and he will maintain order and control come hell or high water.

HoustonEagle · September 1, 2005

My two cents.

I received a lengthy reply yesterday to a e-mail I sent Mr. Jackson regarding the future of North Texas Athletics. I have to say I was very pleased with his response. Not only from the content but also the depth of his response. Mr. Jackson was emphatic that UNT will stay on course in regards to the strategic plan that was implemented under Dr. Pohl. He mentioned that part of the selection process for the new President would entail questioning as to how he/she can help the Athletics department reach their goals.

As of right now I am going to give Lee Jackson the benefit of the doubt. Until he proves me wrong I think we will be happy with his selection.

good_ken · September 1, 2005

Students, faculty, staff, regents, alumni and regional leaders will comprise the membership of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee.

I would suggest that everyone who can, apply/petition to be on this committe. If there are students and alumni on this search committee who are athletically minded, it would provide a very good perspective for this advisory committee.

MGW · September 1, 2005

I heard that the leading candidate is Jackson's old court reporter, as they are already used to doing exactyly what he says.
←

Do you know what a County Judge is? It is an elected position that does not involve making rulings on cases or anything like that. Thus, there is no court reporter.

You do get an E for effort.

untbowler · September 1, 2005

There is a record keeper there in County Commissioner Court, but I think he was making a funny

MGW · September 1, 2005

There is a record keeper there in County Commissioner Court, but I think he was making a funny
←

Perhaps trying to make a funny. Instead, it was a reflection of a lack of understanding about county functioning in Texas. Had Jackson been a trial judge or even an attorney, I think it would have been "a funny." It's a common misconception about county judges - and the name is misleading, but nevertheless....

PlummMeanGreen · September 1, 2005

My two cents.
I received a lengthy reply yesterday to a e-mail I sent Mr. Jackson regarding the future of North Texas Athletics. I have to say I was very pleased with his response. Not only from the content but also the depth of his response. Mr. Jackson was emphatic that UNT will stay on course in regards to the strategic plan that was implemented under Dr. Pohl. He mentioned that part of the selection process for the new President would entail questioning as to how he/she can help the Athletics department reach their goals.
As of right now I am going to give Lee Jackson the benefit of the doubt. Until he proves me wrong I think we will be happy with his selection.
←

I think some of us have been a bit tough on LJ with maybe a few (basically) knee-jerk reactions as to what we anticipate he might do with NT and athletics in general. The all but elitist branding procedure at NT a few months ago seemed to be handled exactly like you might think a private university would have done it. Public universities in Texas have open records act they have to follow--private universities like a Duke or an SMU do not.

But still the proofs in the pudding because many college administrators have the same kind of skills as many politicians when it comes to telling its constituency exactly what they want to hear. Until "lip service" becomes "do service" the jury will still be out with NT Chancellor (former judge) Lee Jackson. I hope he means what he says concerning athletics.

DeepGreen · September 1, 2005

I would suggest that everyone who can, apply/petition to be on this committe. If there are students and alumni on this search committee who are athletically minded, it would provide a very good perspective for this advisory committee.
←

goodken, you referred to this part of the article -

"To that end, Chancellor Jackson will hold discussions in September and October with students, faculty, staff and alumni groups to talk about the University’s goals and the ideal profile of our next president."

I think gomeangreen.com and the Greenbackers should each have a group of representatives that would be a part of this advisory committee. Everyone is either a student or Alum, so qualifying would not be a problem. These two groups should be a "voice" concerning North Texas athletics, making sure that the search committee understands the need to move forward with Dr. Pohl's and the University's athletic goals at North Texas.

good_ken · September 1, 2005

Perhaps trying to make a funny. Instead, it was a reflection of a lack of understanding about county functioning in Texas. Had Jackson been a trial judge or even an attorney, I think it would have been "a funny." It's a common misconception about county judges - and the name is misleading, but nevertheless....

I was not making a funny, I was trying to make light of the fact that an individual is attempting to assert himself as some sort of academic dictator.

Luckily you have enlightened all of us on the subleties that the Chancellor in his previous position was nothing more than a politician. How refreshing.

MGW · September 1, 2005

I was not making a funny, I was trying to make light of the fact that an individual is attempting to assert himself as some sort of academic dictator.
Luckily you have enlightened all of us on the subleties that the Chancellor in his previous position was nothing more than a politician. How refreshing.
←

I take it you don't like Senor Jackson. I didn't mean to call you out - my brother sells computer software to county governments and when he first started working, he asked a county judge where he went to law school... that's when he learned that county judges aren't necessarily lawyers. It's an easy mistake.

What specifically has Jackson done to make you dislike him so... or atleast think he is one who asserts himself as an "academic dictator"?

MootPoint · September 1, 2005

What specifically has Jackson done to make you dislike him so... or atleast think he is one who asserts himself as an "academic dictator"?
←

UNTLifer · September 1, 2005

I take it you don't like Senor Jackson. I didn't mean to call you out - my brother sells computer software to county governments and when he first started working, he asked a county judge where he went to law school... that's when he learned that county judges aren't necessarily lawyers. It's an easy mistake.
What specifically has Jackson done to make you dislike him so... or atleast think he is one who asserts himself as an "academic dictator"?
←

Uh, you have to ask?

September 1, 2005

Why don't they just skip this nonsense process and pick me?! I'll pack my bags tonight and tomorrow we can usher in a new era of success.

C&S · September 1, 2005

I heard that the leading candidate is Jackson's old court reporter, as they are already used to doing exactyly what he says.
←

Know some people from Jackson's legislative days and they have NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING nice to say about him. I think the words backstabber and crook were words they used.