Search policies

Committee principles

For the appointment of the President of the University, a Presidential Search Committee for the identification of presidential candidates and a recommendation for appointment shall be established in accordance with the following principles:

MANAGEMENT RESOURCES AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE (MRCC)

The University of Manitoba's Board of Governors, under The University of Manitoba Act, has the power to appoint the President. The Board has empowered the Management Resources and Compensation Committee (MRCC) with the responsibility to recommend the process for the selection, appointment and reappointment of the President, and to oversee the processes of the Search Committee.

SEARCH COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

Noting that the average size of a Search Committee is from 10 to 21 members, it is recommended the Search Committee consist of 17 members, including the Chair.

The Search Committee shall be composed of:

  • the Chair of the Board of Governors, as Chair
  • the Chancellor, as Co-Chair
  • the Chancellor-elect, who will be elected in December 2018
  • five members elected by the Board of Governors (to include one student)
  • five members elected by the Senate (to include at least one Dean or Director and one student)
  • two members appointed by the Chair and Co-Chair of the Search Committee to bring additional Indigenous perspective and voice to the work of the Search Committee
  • one member appointed by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association
  • the Support Staff Assessor to the Board of Governors

The University Secretary shall be the Secretary (non-voting) of the Search Committee.

A vacancy on the Search Committee may be filled at the discretion of MRCC.

A member of the Search Committee does not cease to be a member simply by virtue of ceasing to be a member of the estate from which he or she was elected or appointed.

TIME LINE

The Search Committee will submit its recommendation to the Board of Governors no later than November 30, 2019.

ORIENTATION

The Search Committee shall hold a thorough orientation session for all members of the Search Committee to establish expectations and responsibilities of the individuals on the Committee and of the Committee as a whole.

THE SEARCH

The Search Committee will have overall responsibility for the recruitment and evaluation of candidates. The MRCC concluded that the Search Committee would benefit from the assistance of an executive search consultant, the approach now used at virtually all universities. The MRCC will retain such a consultant to assist the committee.

THE CRITERIA

The Search Committee shall develop, in consultation with the university community, the criteria to be used in evaluating candidates and shall present the criteria to the Board for consideration and approval.

In its deliberations, the Search Committee shall have regard for the mission of the University and the abilities of those nominated to advance that mission. The Search Committee shall solicit and consider the views of the university community and major external constituencies on the type of President most likely to advance the interests of the University.

PROCEDURES

Beyond the procedures outlined in this document, the Search Committee may develop its own procedures.

Other than consultations with the university and broader community, the Search Committee shall, at all times, conduct its affairs in camera. Members shall not disclose to anyone else any matter concerning the activities of the Search Committee.

The Search Committee shall attempt to make decisions by consensus.

For all purposes, except in making a recommendation for the appointment of a President, nine members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Search Committee. For the purpose of making a recommendation to the Board of Governors for the appointment of the President, a quorum of 12 members will be required.

The Search Committee shall regularly inform the Board of Governors on the progress that the Search Committee is making. The Chair of the Search Committee should, therefore, make a report to the Board of Governors at each Board of Governors meeting on the understanding that such reports will be made in general terms only, given the sensitivity and confidentiality of the Search Committee's work.

The Search Committee may establish sub-committees for any purposes it thinks appropriate, except that only a quorum of the full committee may decide upon a recommendation to the Board of Governors for the appointment of a President.

RECOMMENDATION

The Search Committee shall identify, after its deliberations, a candidate whom it recommends to the Board of Governors for appointment as President of the University. Only if the Board of Governors does not approve the Search Committee's recommendation, shall the Search Committee recommend a second or further candidate as may be necessary.

TERMS OF THE APPOINTMENT

In consultation with a Search Consultant, and any other advisors it deems necessary, the MRCC will establish contract parameters and compensation for potential candidates. The Search Committee shall not have the responsibility of discussing contract provisions with candidates. The Chair of the Search Committee shall review these parameters with all individuals on the short list prior to interviews. The final negotiations for a contract are the responsibility of the Board Chair and Chancellor on behalf of MRCC.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Code of Conduct for Members of the Board of Governors of the University of Manitoba, and the Charter of Expectations will apply to all members of the Search Committee.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROCEEDINGS

It is a condition of membership of the Search Committee that its deliberations and all matters pertaining to its proceedings will be treated as being confidential.

Acceptance of membership constitutes an undertaking to adhere strictly to this condition.

Search Committee members, and any staff supporting the Search Committee, will be required to sign an undertaking of confidentiality.

 

As approved by the Board of Governors on January 11, 2019

Charter of expectations

INTRODUCTION

Each member of the Search Committee was selected, not only for the constituency he/she represents, but, also, for the excellence she/he will bring to the deliberations. Regardless of the constituency, each member’s duty is to consider the best interests of the University as a whole.

Being a member of the Search Committee entails enormous responsibility and accountability. Members are being entrusted individually and collectively to contribute a broad range of skills and attributes which will enable the best outcome for the University of Manitoba.

EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE SEARCH COMMITTEE

1)  Absolute Confidentiality

Confidentiality is mandatory. Members need to fully understand what this means, and if there is any doubt at any time about what is permissible, members must speak with the Chair before acting. All Search Committee business must be kept strictly confidential.

  • External discussion with anyone, at any time, about the candidates’ names or any other aspects of the Search Committee’s deliberations would constitute a breach of confidentiality.
  • The requirement to keep confidential all Search Committee business extends beyond the life of the Search Committee. Confidential information acquired as a member of the Search Committee must never be divulged.
  • Any breach of confidentiality may result in the member being removed from the Search Committee.

2)  Timely External Progress Updates

Thorough and appropriate communication with the university and external community on progress will be a priority. The Search Committee Chair will make regular reports to the Board, Senate and the university community.

The Chair will be the official and only spokesperson for the Search Committee.

3)  Avoiding Commentary in External Settings

In social settings and otherwise, people will be aware that one is a member of this Search Committee, and they will likely have heard of, or will speculate on, the names of potential or actual candidates who might be before the Search Committee for consideration. While listening to external advice and/or recommendations, it is critical that members do not provide their own commentary, assessment or reflections.

4)  Due Diligence and Reference-Checking

Members are to refrain from unauthorized or informal reference-checking/due diligence, unless they are specifically assigned the task by the Search Committee.

Reference-checking and complete and thorough due diligence can and will be planned and executed systematically and professionally at the appropriate time.

5)  Value-Added Constructive Interventions

Members will be expected to add value to the Search Committee deliberations through constructive interventions and clarification, while taking care not to exert undue influence and/or dominate proceedings.

6)  Early Declaration of Personal Biases and Assumptions

It is quite normal that as candidates’ names are put forth, members might have their own personal biases and/or assumptions based on their familiarity with the candidates. Early acknowledgement and declaration of any personal bias or assumptions to the Search Committee will be considered both honourable and professional.

Search Committee members are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct for Members of the Board of Governors of the University of Manitoba and this Charter of Expectations.

7)  Full Engagement by Each Member at All Stages

It is proven that the ultimate success of search committees depends a great deal on the degree to which individual members are engaged in each stage of the process. It is critically important that each member be fully engaged in the fair, objective, and comprehensive assessment of each candidate prior to short-listing - as well for those candidates who have been short-listed.

8)  Constant Focus on Position Specifications and Role Profile

When assessing candidates throughout, members will be expected to constantly focus on the skills, relevant experiences and other key attributes agreed to in the Position Specifications and Role Profile developed from wide consultations.

Experience demonstrates that committees responsible for the selection of critical leaders are more successful in deciding on the best candidate when, they first concentrate on, and agree to, the needs of the organization for the next 7-10 years, and second on matching the candidates to those specifications.

9)  Role of Search Consultant

During this presidential search process, the search consultant/firm (once selected) will play the role of advisor and provide support to the Search Committee, but will not diffuse the responsibility and accountability of the Search Committee members, which is to recommend to the Board of Governors the very best and most appropriate President.

The Search Consultant will have their own very specific mandate, but will also be subject to this Charter of Expectations.

10)  Meeting Attendance

Attendance at all meetings is expected, unless dire circumstances prevent it. Where a committee member has missed two meetings, the Chair will discuss with the member whether or not she/he is able to attend future meetings and continue on the Search Committee. Attendance at all of the interviews is a requirement of all Search Committee members.

AFTER THE SEARCH

The responsibilities of members of the Search Committee will not end once the President is appointed. Members of the Search Committee - collectively and individually - will play a vital role in ensuring his/her success. Members will be expected to provide direct and indirect support to the new President once he/she assumes office, as well as serve as ambassadors for the appointment both within the university community and beyond.

Committee members

The membership of the Presidential Search Committee is as follows:

the Chair of the Board of Governors, as Chair Jeff Lieberman
the Chancellor, as Co-Chair Harvey Secter
the Chancellor-elect Anne Mahon
five members elected by the Board of Governors (to include one student)
  • Laurel Hyde
  • Carla Loewen
  • Carl Neumann
  • Jeff Taylor
five members elected by the Senate (to include at least one Dean or Director and one student)
  • Jonathan Beddoes
  • Peter Blunden
  • Tina Chen
  • Cary Miller
  • Jakob Sanderson
one member appointed by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association Robert Chernomas
the Support Staff Assessor to the Board of Governors Sandra Woloschuk
two members, appointed by the Chair and the Co-Chair of the Committee, to bring additional Indigenous perspective and voice to the work of the Committee
  • Catherine Cook
  • Frank Deer

The University Secretary (Jeffrey Leclerc) shall be the Secretary (non-voting) of the Search Committee.

News updates

November 20, 2019

Dear members of the University of Manitoba community:
 
I am delighted to announce that the Board of Governors, following an extensive community consultation and search process, has approved the recommendation of the Presidential Search Committee that Dr. Michael Benarroch be appointed as the President and Vice-Chancellor to lead the University of Manitoba into the next stage of its illustrious history.
 
Dr. Benarroch is the provost and vice-president, academic at Ryerson University in Toronto, a role he has held since 2017, providing leadership as Ryerson’s chief academic officer and chief operating officer.  He has made a significant impact as provost, overseeing academic policy, strategic planning, and the institutional budget.
 
Prior to his time at Ryerson, he led the I. H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba as dean, and was founding dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Winnipeg.
 
I am excited to welcome Dr. Benarroch, a proud Manitoban, a recognized economist, and an experienced academic leader, back to the University of Manitoba as our 12th President and Vice-Chancellor. His academic and leadership experience and his deep love of the province and the university make him an ideal candidate to help bring about positive transformation.
 
Those of us who have had the privilege of working with Dr. Benarroch in his previous role as dean of the Asper School of Business know him to be a collegial and capable leader who cares deeply about the success of this University, this province and its people. He has a track record as a compelling visionary with the ability to make great things happen by connecting meaningfully with community and stakeholders. Working with Indigenous faculty, students and community members, he helped strengthen the Asper School’s Aboriginal Business Education Program so that it has recently enjoyed unparalleled success, graduating more and more diverse students than ever before.
 
Dr. Benarroch has expressed his commitment to play a lead role in enhancing the University of Manitoba’s impact locally and globally through innovative research and scholarship, teaching and learning, community outreach, and reconciliation.
 
Dr. Benarroch will take office as President and Vice-Chancellor on July 1, 2020, succeeding Dr. David T. Barnard, who completes his term on June 30, 2020, following 12 years of distinguished service as president.
 
I want to take this opportunity to thank David for 12 years of relationship building, visionary growth and transformation. Under his leadership, the University of Manitoba has expanded greatly in physical size and student population, and increased both the Indigenous and international student populations, achieved new heights in research accomplishments and achieved unprecedented success in philanthropy through the Front and Centre campaign. In 2011 Dr. Barnard made a formal Statement of Apology and Reconciliation to Indian Residential School Survivors in front of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the first leader of a post-secondary institution to do so, and David has provided steadfast leadership in building relationships with Indigenous students, faculty, and communities throughout his time as president.
 
I would like to pay special appreciation to all members of the community who informed the work of the Presidential Search Committee through your contributions to the consultation phase of the search. Thank you also to the members of the presidential search committee for their commitment to this process and for selecting a leader who will shape the success of this institution, this province and beyond.
 
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Benarroch on this appointment, and in working with him as he assumes the presidency next July.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jeff Lieberman
Chair of the Presidential Search Committee
Chair of the UM Board of Governors


About Dr. Michael Benarroch
 
Dr. Benarroch is currently provost and vice-president (academic) at Ryerson University, a position he has held since 2017. In this role, he serves as Ryerson’s chief academic officer and chief operating officer, providing leadership in academic policy and programming, strategic planning and the university budget. In his time at Ryerson he has led and revamped the budget process, consulting widely as the University implemented significant budget reductions.  He co-chairs Ryerson’s Truth and Reconciliation Implementation Committee. Dr. Benarroch is committed and excited to work with the University of Manitoba and broader communities in advancing Indigenous engagement and reconciliation.
 
Prior to his current appointment, he served as dean of the I.H. Asper School of Business from 2011-2017. From 2008-2011, Dr. Benarroch served as the founding dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Winnipeg.
 
Passionate about teaching and research, Dr. Benarroch is an economist and has taught economics at Canadian universities since 1989.  His research focuses on global economic outlook, globalization, and the impact of trade on the environment. He received his Ph.D. in economics from Carleton University, his master’s from Western University, and a B.A. (Honours) from the University of Winnipeg.
 
Throughout his career, Dr. Benarroch has been an active leader and contributor in collegial governance at the institutions at which he has served, at the department, Faculty and University levels and believes strongly in the importance of collegiality.  He has extensive experience in working in unionized universities and has served as a member of faculty association and management bargaining teams.
 
Dr. Benarroch has extensive experience in community leadership and Boards. He has engaged with the boards of all three universities at which he has worked, and as Provost serves as a non-voting member of the Board. He has served on various national boards including the Certified Management Accountants, as chair of the Board of Jewish Education, chair of the Crown Corporation Council, the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council and on the Council of Economic Advisors for the Credit Union Central. He has completed the Directors Education Program training from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
 
Dr. Benarroch is a proud Manitoban who is very excited to return to Winnipeg and lead the University of Manitoba as president. He believes strongly in the importance of the University of Manitoba to this province and is keen to build and enhance connections in the community. His passion for this community and the power of higher education is readily apparent and his experiences to date in the academy, in academic leadership, and in the community will serve him, and the University well in the role of president and vice-chancellor.
 
Dr. Benarroch was born in Tangier, Morocco, his family immigrating to Winnipeg when he was three years old with the expectation of greater opportunities. He was among the first generation of his family to attend university and the first to earn a graduate degree. He holds a B.A. (Hons.) from the University of Winnipeg, a M.A. in economics from Western University, and a Ph.D. in economics from Carleton University.

September 27, 2019

The search for the next President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba continues on schedule. We have received great interest in the position and many strong applications from local, national and international candidates.

Over the summer, the long-listed candidates met with the lead search consultants from Perrett Laver who held further in-depth assessments against the position description and selection criteria. The committee came together again in September to review the field and agreed on a similar group of candidates to progress to the next stages in the process. 

The next step is for the search committee to begin interviewing the shortlisted candidates through multiple stages in October. Updates on the committee's work will continue to be provided and members of the university community are welcome to provide input to the committee at any point in the process via the consultation portal on the Presidential Search website.

June 28, 2019

The search for the next President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba continues to progress on schedule. During the last couple of months, the executive search consultants from Perrett Laver have been reaching out to potential candidates and sources across Canada and around the world. The committee came together again last week to take a first look at the emerging candidate field. The committee was delighted to see a range of excellent candidates who are showing a strong interest in the position and in the opportunities the University of Manitoba has ahead of it.

Over the summer the search consultants will be holding further in-depth assessments of the leading candidates, against the position description and selection criteria. The committee will come together again in early September to begin the process of reducing the field to a smaller set of preferred candidates ahead of interviews in October.

Members of the university community can provide input to the committee at any point in the process via the consultation portal on the Presidential Search website.

May 9, 2019

The Presidential Search Committee has reviewed the information gathered from the university community through the consultation process which took place over February, March and early April. We sincerely thank the University of Manitoba community for engaging in the consultation process.
 
The committee used the information gathered from the consultation in the development of the position profile, or appointment details, which outlines the opportunity and outlines the roles and responsibilities and selection criteria. We are delighted to share the finalized appointment details, which we feel captures the feedback we received from the university community. We are also pleased to share that this document has been approved by the Board of Governors at its meeting on April 23rd.
 
Now that the consultation process has concluded the search moves into the phase of active recruitment and outreach. The advertisement is live and the search consultants are speaking with potential candidates and sources. The committee will come together again for an update meeting in late May.
 
Members of the university community can provide input to the committee at any point in the process via the consultation portal on the Presidential Search website.

March 18, 2019

Since the last update, the Presidential Search Committee has met twice as a committee, as well as meeting with 11 individuals and groups, and held an additional eight consultation sessions. The Chair, co-Chair and search consultants have also reached out to an additional 60 individuals or groups and held fourteen consultation meetings and numerous phone calls.  The Committee greatly appreciates the interest and contributions of members of the community.

The Committee will be meeting again later this week and in early-April to review the feedback received through the consultation meetings and that which was submitted in writing, as it develops the candidate brief and position profile document.

Members of the community can still provide input to the committee via the consultation portal on the Presidential Search website.

February 7, 2019

The Presidential Search Committee held its first meeting on February 7, 2019.  The meeting was an orientation to the search process for the Committee and provided an opportunity for members of the Committee to meet and to be introduced to the search firm that will be assisting the University in the Search.

The Committee reviewed a community consultation schedule and discussed the processes for community consultations and the development of a position profile document. The Committee looks forward to hearing from the community through the consultation process.

January 7, 2019 - Message to the University of Manitoba Community

This message is sent on behalf of Mr. Jeff Lieberman, Chair of the Board of Governors and Chair, Presidential Search Committee:

With Dr. David Barnard’s second term as President concluding on June 30, 2020, the University of Manitoba has now begun the process to appoint its next President and Vice-Chancellor to lead this province’s premier university into the next decade. The purpose of this message is to provide the university community with an update regarding the progress of the Presidential Search Process and to encourage you to share your views with the Search Committee.

On September 25, 2018, the Board of Governors approved the establishment of a Presidential Search Committee to search for and screen candidates for the position of President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba and to recommend a candidate to the Board of Governors for a term beginning July 1, 2020. 

The Search Principles and Terms of Reference for the Presidential Search Committee were developed in keeping with the process used at the University of Manitoba in the previous presidential search and are similar to the processes used at universities like ours across Canada. The Search Committee Principles are posted on the Presidential Search website, which is now live.  The website will be updated regularly throughout the Search.

The Committee will begin meeting in early-February.  Over the months of February and March, the Presidential Search Committee will be engaging in a wide-ranging community consultation process, which will include open town hall meetings and the opportunity to make written submissions.  The purpose of these consultations is to establish the criteria for the search and guide the Committee's evaluation and recommendations of candidates for President and Vice-Chancellor.  During this consultation phase, the Committee will benefit from hearing the perspective of members of the university community on the key requirements, challenges and opportunities of the presidency of the University of Manitoba.  The search consultants will also meet with individuals during this period and report back to the Search Committee.  Further information and invitations to participate in this consultation process will be forthcoming and announced broadly to the university community in the weeks to come.

Informed by the consultation phase, the Committee will develop a position profile that will be shared with prospective candidates and the university community.  With the assistance of the search consultants and suggestions and nominations from the university community, the Committee will consider candidates against the profile, conduct interviews, and make a recommendation to the Board of Governors in the late-fall of 2019.

The Presidential Search Committee's membership has been confirmed.  I would like to thank those who will serve on the Committee and look forward to working with them on this important process over the next year.  Members of the Presidential Search Committee are:

Harvey Secter the Chancellor, as co-chair
Anne Mahon the Chancellor-elect
Laurel Hyde
Carla Loewen
Rafi Mohammed
Carl Neumann
Jeff Taylor
five members to be elected by the
Board of Governors
(to include one student)
Jonathan Beddoes
Peter Blunden
Tina Chen
Cary Miller
Jakob Sanderson
five members to be elected by the Senate
(to include at least one Dean or Director
and one student)
Robert Chernomas a representative of the
University of Manitoba Faculty Association,
designated by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association
Sandra Woloschuk the Support Staff Assessor
on the Board of Governors

Jeff Leclerc, University Secretary, will serve as Secretary to the Search Committee and Gordon Lobay and Erik Jackson of Perrett Laver have been retained as executive search consultants.  Inquiries and suggestions may be sent to the search consultants at emily.jarvis@perrettlaver.com or to the University Secretary at jeff.leclerc@umanitoba.ca.

The committee looks forward to hearing from the university community as we begin this important task.