The recent selection of a new president of the University of Florida, which, because of Florida's Sunshine Laws, was the most public search process ever conducted by a major university is described. The negative effects of public openness on the selection process and the candidates are explored. (MT)

The search process for a college president has become a complicated affairs. The vicissitudes of the search process not only exhaust search committee members but also deplete the pool of good candidates. Selection criteria, confidentiality and disclosure, and Sunshine searches are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Once conducted in private by a small group of trustees, presidential searches occur today in a climate of constituency participation and access to information. A survey to examine current search practices regarding constituency involvement and confidentiality and disclosure is reported. (Author/MLW)

The selection of the University of Florida's new president, in one of the most public search processes ever conducted at a major university and under the most comprehensive sunshine laws in the nation, is chronicled, based on the public records and interviews with participants and knowledgeable observers. (MSE)

This book examines the search and selection process for college and university presidents in its variety and intricacy. Chapter I examines the question of the importance of presidents and searches. Chapter II describes the process of presidential succession at a private liberal arts college. Chapter III discusses the tasks required at the start of…