In Quest of a Dean.

Abstract

This article is the first published piece describing and analyzing the process of a law school dean search. It should be useful to schools seeking deans, to anyone wishing to become a dean, and to persons recommending others for deanships. Topics discussed include composition, organization and authority of the search committee. The search committee evolved criteria for dean candidates; sought to identify prospective candidates; procured the agreement of those prospects to become candidates; sought references; selected the candidates to be brought to campus; developed schedules for campus visits; and suggested a voting system for the tenured faculty. The article also suggests ways in which persons interacting with the candidates can be more effective in presenting their views to the decisionmakers, and implications of the way the search is conducted for likely acceptance and future relationships between the new dean and the University community.