June 13, 2014

Dear colleagues:

We invite you to attend one of the town hall meetings that have been scheduled on each of our campuses this month to provide input for the committee leading the search to replace retiring President Robert Easter.

The open-microphone forums are an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to share thoughts to help guide the search – from the challenges that a new president will face to the personal qualities needed for the position. Several members of the presidential search committee will attend each meeting, and input from the forums will be presented to the full committee.

Town hall meetings, by campus, will be held:

     Springfield – 11 a.m. June 23 in Room 3080 of University Hall

     Chicago – 2 p.m. June 24 in the Michele M. Thompson rooms at Student Center West

     Urbana-Champaign – 1 p.m. June 25 in the Beckman Auditorium

The Board of Trustees launched the presidential search in March, appointing a 19-member committee that will develop job qualifications and then identify and screen potential candidates. The committee will recommend finalists to the board, which intends to name a replacement by late this fall to ensure a smooth transition before President Easter leaves office.

We hope you can attend one of the town hall meetings, and look forward to your insights.

Sincerely,

Pamela B. Strobel, member, Board of Trustees
Douglas H. Beck, professor of physics, Urbana campus
Committee co-chairs