The Board of Trustees approved a plan to decide on the next University president by January 2015 at its meeting Thursday. 

The first step in the process will be the development of a search committee that will assist in selecting a new University president. According to a press release, the committee will include 19 members from all three University campuses. The committee will be in charge of defining job expectations for the next president, who would replace University President Robert Easter when he retires on June 30, 2015. Committee members would also screen and select the potential candidates for the position.

“This is truly one of the world’s premier universities with a long history of excellence in education, research discovery and service to our state and nation,” said board chairman Christopher Kennedy in a press release. “Our next president will advance our rich legacy and our commitment to producing the 21st century workforce and innovation that are the keys to progress and economic growth.”

Trustees will appoint members to the Search Committee to Assist in the Selection of the President based on recommendations from faculty senate and student governments at each campus. The committee will be made up of three trustees; eight faculty members from the University’s three campuses; a student from each campus; a representative from the University of Illinois Alumni Association; a representative from the University of Illinois Foundation; an administrative officer; an academic professional; and a civil service representative. These positions will be filled by May.

Once appointed, committee members will work to develop an outline of challenges, expectations and qualifications for the next president, which in the past has included stipulations such as ability to manage a large academic institution, agreement with the mission of the University of Illinois and ability to adapt to evolving fiscal environments.

The board also approved student health insurance fees for the 2014-15 academic year, adding gender confirmation surgery to the new health insurance plan for students on the Urbana campus.

MaryCate can be reached at [email protected].