The search committee is comprised of representatives of the Trustees, students, faculty and administration. Trustee Amos Hostetter Jr. '58 chairs the committee.
At each meeting, the committee invited the attendees to offer insights into what criteria the committee should consider in selecting a president. The committee also entertained questions about the search process.
During the meeting for staff members, a discussion arose regarding how a new president should deal with changes at the College. Some felt that the president should take on the dual role of maintaining what is already good at the College while fostering positive change. "[There] is no question about change, but we need someone to manage it," said Margaret Groesbeck, Head of Reference and Online Services in Frost Library.
The staff also discussed whether the new president ought to be an academic. Many commented that academic experience is important in order to help ensure that well qualified professors are hired.
The gender of the next president was also a key component of the discussion at the meetings.
"This is the time for a woman as president," said Barbara Sieck '05 at the meeting. She thought that electing to have a female president would be "breaking barriers."
According to President Tom Gerety, there has been a "tremendous push" for female candidates and people from different racial backgrounds.
The search committee members were disappointed by the low student turnout at Friday night's student meeting, where they indicated that they had previously solicited comments from students, staff and faculty by letter. The committee received a number of responses that emphasized, among other things, the importance of student athletics, academics, the liberal arts, women and alumni.
In an interview with The Student Gerety commented on what he thinks are important qualities for an Amherst president. "You need someone above all who is tenacious, who is patient, who listens," he said.
When asked for the first words of advice he would give his successor, Gerety said, "It's a job that could be miserable if you take every slight to heart, but it's a wonderful job."
Gerety's resignation is effective July 1, 2002, although he will then start a sabbatical. Aside from an initial short meeting he had with the committee, Gerety said that he does not anticipate that they will seek his advice in the future.
One student at the meeting asked the committee whether they will be able to find a replacement by the deadline. A committee member explained that the time frame is not as important as finding the right person.
The committee will make a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees, which will make the ultimate determination.
According to the committee ,there have been approximately 20 people who have nominated themselves as candidate. Other parties have submitted an additional 60 recommendations.
The committee said that they have received several names from within the College community and have called on other college presidents and foundation executives for advice and recommendations. Additionally, the committee has hired an independent consultant to facilitate the search process.