MEMORANDUM TO: William Paterson University Community FROM: Robert H. Taylor, Chair, Board of Trustees RE: Presidential and Board Assessment DATE: February 1, 2005 I write to publicly announce and outline for you the process established by the Board of Trustees to conduct a formal assessment of the President in the coming months. At the same time, and as part of this process, the Board will be undertaking a formal self-assessment.One of the Board's most important statutory responsibilities is to appoint, support, and assess the performance of the University president. The Board's Policy on Presidential Assessment, in place since September of 1994, states that "The main purpose of the presidential assessment is not only to fulfill the Board's responsibility, but also, more importantly, to strengthen the President's capabilities and performance. It should be a vital educational process, beneficial to all components of the University community."The policy further states that in addition to "ongoing informal assessment" of the President by the Board, an "in-depth" assessment of the President is to be conducted at intervals not to exceed five years. The most recent in-depth assessments were conducted in the spring of 2000 and in the spring of 1995.After careful consideration, the Board has decided to enlist the assistance of the Association of Governing Board's Presidential and Board Assessment Service. The AGB is a national professional association dedicated to "strengthening the performance of boards of public and private higher education." In consultation with the Board and the President, the AGB has assigned two very experienced consultants who will work with a committee of the Board (Vince Mazzola, Carla Temple, and me) to elicit feedback from the University community and to make a report to the Board prior to its May 7, 2005 meeting. Here is a brief summary of the background and experience of the consultants: Dr. Terrence MacTaggart is currently University System Research Professor and former Chancellor of the University of Maine system. He has previously served as Chancellor of the University of Minnesota system and of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. As an AGB facilitator he focuses on strategic planning in a scarce resource environment, clarifying board-executive responsibilities, and board self-study.He co-authored Pursuing the Public's Agenda: Trustees in Partnership with State Leaders as part of a project that identified key elements that enable higher education to successfully address state and community needs. MacTaggart also served as a member of the AGB Center for Public Higher Education Trusteeship and Governance team. He earned his Ph.D. in 18th century British Literature at Saint Louis University and served as a Fulbright Scholar in Thailand.Dr. Jill T. Derby is a past chair of the Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada, and is the first Nevada regent to be elected to a third term as chair. As board chair, Jill initiated a board development committee to orient new board members, foster ongoing board education, and facilitate a continuing dialogue on improving board performance. Jill continues to serve on the board of the University and Community College System of Nevada. She also lectures on topics ranging from cross-cultural understanding and diversity to communication dynamics and higher education issues. As a facilitator for AGB, she specializes in board self-evaluation, basic board responsibilities, and presidential assessment. Dr. Derby received her Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from the University of California at Davis. These consultants, who have already received a great deal of background information about the University, will be on campus Monday, March 21 through Thursday, March 24 to conduct one on one interviews with a cross-section of members of the University community to be selected by the Board of Trustees. On Thursday morning the 24th, they will make themselves available as time permits for one on one interviews with any other individuals who wish to communicate with them. A schedule of their availability, invitations to meet with them, and sign-up procedures for the Thursday morning interviews will be developed shortly. All interviews will be conducted one on one to promote candor. To assure the integrity of the entire process, all interviews will be held and maintained in strict confidence, and no input will be ascribed to identified individuals.I am hopeful and confident that this process will assist the President and the Board in better meeting our responsibilities to the many constituencies we serve.c. Board of Trustees President Speert Dr. Derby Dr. MacTaggart
