Faculty Hiring Manual 2023–24
Section 2: Getting Started

2.2 Composing the Search Committee

Each Hiring Unit is responsible for determining the composition of its search committees. Every search committee should have a chair for the search (“Search Chair”) and representatives from the field in which the Hiring Unit is looking to hire. Absent special circumstances, Hiring Units should maintain consistent practices regarding the composition of search committees.

In the case of interdisciplinary, joint-departmental, or cross-unit hires, search committees may take several forms: a single committee made up of members from all the participating Hiring Units may conduct all reviews and interviews of candidates, or a central coordinating committee with membership drawn from each participating unit may guide the hiring process. In either case, committee members should make every effort to attend all campus talks, presentations, visits, etc.

Diverse and inclusive search committees comprised of individuals with varying experience from the Hiring Unit help foster the university’s mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion and may enhance the Hiring Unit’s ability to attract and assess a broad pool of qualified applicants. In certain circumstances, Hiring Units may include individuals from other units to increase the perspectives of individuals on the search committee.