Intent

The College encourages units to pursue appointments consistent with the objectives of these programs as stated in campus policies:

http://www.provost.uiuc.edu/communication/04/index.html

http://www.provost.uiuc.edu/communication/07/index.html

The College's primary objective for excellence hires is to recruit outstanding individuals who can provide immediate creative and intellectual leadership in areas of opportunity (new initiatives, sustaining strengths) and challenge (reinvigorating essential capabilities, attracting experienced practitioners or scholars). Our intent is to be both strategic and opportunistic. Units should actively explore potential candidates in areas of strategic importance. Units should also bring forward exceptional candidates who emerge unexpectedly when a strong case can be made for the impact on the unit.

The College must make a case to the Provost in competition for funds with other units and thus implicitly also in competition with other requests from within the College. In many cases, the College will be committing its own limited funds, which must be allocated effectively to achieve our aspirations. Choices about which proposed candidates to advocate or fund will be made on the basis of the quality of the candidate and the impact on the unit's quality.

Procedures for Excellence and TOPS Hires

The campus procedure requires "pre-authorization" approval before contacting a candidate (first stage) and approval to make an offer (second stage).

First stage: In addition to the items required by campus, the College requires a one page statement explaining how the candidate will contribute to strategies for achieving the unit's expressed objectives. Regardless of the intended rank of proposed appointment, the Dean will consult with the College Promotion and Tenure Committee when considering first stage proposals, seeking advice both on the quality of the candidate and on the expected impact on the unit.

Second stage: Excellence hires are always at Associate Professor or above and usually include tenure. Therefore, the promotion and tenure procedures for such appointments are followed at the unit and College levels. TOPS hires at Associate Professor or above also follow unit and College level procedures for such appointments.

November 2005