Executive summary

For the vast majority of faculty hires, appointments will be made following our standard search practices. In rare cases, a candidate will be considered without the standard search; these cases arise due to dual career considerations as well as from idiosyncratic opportunities to recruit exceptional quality candidates at all ranks. Both the candidate and the school will benefit from carefully considered procedures for target of opportunity (TOp) hires as these safeguard against numerous concerns.

Process for TOps Hiring

These procedures should be used to facilitate the hiring, in exceptional cases, of individuals whose potential contribution to UMSI faculty is identified outside a normal search process. The Dean, Associate Dean for Faculty (ADF) and the Dean’s Advisory Committee (DAC) will act expeditiously in responding to TOp hire requests.

1. ADF is contacted and provided with candidate materials

   1. [required] CV

   2. [optional] letter of interest, relevant papers, teaching, service, DEI statements.

2. ADF alerts and provides materials to leadership and DAC for deliberation.

3. DAC + Leadership meet to discuss the merits of considering the candidate for hire using the Criteria for TOps consideration (see below) and the relevant threshold.

   1. The goal of the DAC review is to provide a recommendation to the Dean

      1. Assess whether to recommend using the school’s limited resources (faculty time in service on a search committee for TOps; faculty time in service attending job interview etc.) to thoroughly consider the candidate.

         1. Yes - recommend calling into service a TOps Review Committee

         2. No - do not recommend

   2. Relevant threshold differs by pathway to being a TOp:

      1. [most common] For “Dual Career” or “outstanding candidate identified through a UMSI search”, DAC review will assess whether they are outstanding as applied to criteria (1) and (2); has a strong potential for interdisciplinary work.

      2. [very rare] All other types of TOp: DAC review will assess whether they are extraordinary as applied to criteria (1) and (2); have a demonstrated track record of interdisciplinary work.

   3. (if we appoint a) TOps review committee

      1. The goal of the review committee:

         1. Assess and recommend to the Dean whether the candidate should be invited for a campus visit.

         2. With approval by the Dean and in collaboration with AHR, they can contact the candidate and solicit materials

      2. (if there is a) Campus visit then the normal process (report, vote etc.) occurs.

Criteria for TOps consideration:

The criteria for TOps consideration will be applicable at all stages of consideration (e.g. DAC consideration, TOps search committee, governing faculty).

Criteria for considering a TOps candidate:

1. They have high quality research;

2. They add to the DEI or other strategic mission of the school;

3. Potential for / have demonstrated track record of interdisciplinary work.