Sept 30, 2022
Search Advisory Committee announced.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Presidential Search
The University of Texas System is currently accepting nominations and applications for the position of President of The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. UTMB opened in 1891 as the nation’s first public medical school and hospital under unified leadership. What began as one hospital and medical school building in Galveston is now a major academic health science center of global influence. UTMB is a member of the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world.
Position Description
As chief executive officer of UTMB, the President leads the educational, research and clinical missions of a comprehensive academic health center of more than 3900 students and 964 faculty, including schools of medicine, nursing, health professions, public and population health, and graduate biomedical sciences; four institutes for advanced study; a major medical library; a world renowned research enterprise; a network of hospitals and clinics that provide a full range of primary and specialized medical care; and numerous research facilities and centers. The full position description is available here.
News
September 30, 2022
UT Regents launch national search, name advisory committee for next UT Medical Branch president
April 27, 2023
UT Regents name Jochen Reiser as sole finalist for President of UT Medical Branch In Galveston
Search Advisory Committee
Committee members were selected in accordance with the Board of Regents’ Rules and Regulations, which include a provision for representation on such committees by various constituencies of the institution.
Timelime
Nov 7, 2022
First meeting of the Search Advisory Committee.
Nov 18, 2022
Website launched to keep public informed and seek recommendations and comments.
Feb 6, 2023
Search Advisory Committee reviews candidates.
Mar 6-7, 2023
Search Advisory Committee interviews candidates and recommends candidates for further review.
Mar 24, 2023
UT System Board of Regents authorizes slate of recommended candidates to be interviewed by the BOR at a date to be determined.
Apr 27, 2023
UT Regents name Jochen Reiser as sole finalist for President of UT Medical Branch In Galveston.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Search Advisory Committee selected?
Per Regents’ Rules and Regulations, a Search Advisory Committee is established to recommend candidates to the Board.
The chancellor, the executive vice chancellor for health affairs or the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs serves as chairman of the committee; the Board chairman may make a different or additional appointment.
In order to ensure broad representation, the membership of the Search Advisory Committee membership is dictated by Regents’ Rules and is as follows:
(a) At least one regent to be appointed by the Board chairman.
(b) Two presidents from UT institutions to be appointed by the Board chairman.
(c) The executive vice chancellor for academic or health affairs (depending whether the presidential search is for an academic institution or a health institution).
(d) Three faculty members from the institution involved. The method of selection for faculty members is determined by the faculty governance of the institution.
(e) One dean, to be selected by the Deans’ Council of the institution involved for academic institutions. At health institutions, the member will be the dean of the medical school or, in the absence of that position, the member will be a senior representative of the teaching program of the institution selected by the Board chairman.
(f) One student from the institution involved. The method of selection is determined by the student governance of the campus.
(g) The president of the alumni association of the campus involved.
(h) One non-faculty employee of the institution involved. The method of selection is determined by the staff or employee council of the institution involved.
(i) At least two representatives of the institution’s external constituency who have demonstrated a deep interest in and support of the institution, its programs and its role in community activities, to be appointed by the Board chairman.
Who selects presidents of UT institutions?
The UT System Board of Regents selects the president of each institution, following interviews of top candidates. The Board of Regents considers recommendations from the Search Advisory Committee as well as comments and nominations from the public.
Will only one finalist get introduced publicly, or can the community meet with top candidates before a finalist is selected?
The Search Advisory Committee, which has broad representation from both the institution and community, may interview candidates as part of its selection process, but these interviews must remain confidential. After their recommendations are submitted to the Board of Regents, the Regents subsequently interview a slate of candidates and typically name a sole finalist or finalists. After the public naming of the finalist(s), there is a state-mandated 21-day waiting period before the Board can officially appoint the president. During this time period, the finalist(s) may visit the campus to meet with students, faculty, staff and community members.
Why is there a 21-day waiting period after regents announce a finalist?
Per state law (Texas Education Code 552.123), after the Board names a finalist or finalist(s), it must wait 21 days to officially appoint a finalist as president. This gives the public an opportunity to present additional comments or concerns about a finalist before he or she is officially named president. During this time period, the finalist(s) may visit the campus to meet with students, faculty, staff and community members.
Can students, faculty and staff or members of the public nominate candidates?
Yes, the UT System online portal is set up to allow any member of the public to submit a comment or nomination. These comments and nominations may be submitted anonymously.
Why aren’t the names of candidates shared with the public?
Per Texas Education Code 552.123, the names of applicants or candidates for the position of president of a public institution of higher education may remain confidential. However, when the Board names a finalist or finalist(s), it must publicly announce the name(s) and then wait 21 days to officially appoint a finalist as president.
Furthermore, names of applicants are kept confidential to allow the best possible candidates to enter the search without concern that their names will be revealed while employed elsewhere.
