Regent Candidate Advisory Council

CRITERIA FOR UNIVERSITY REGENTS

Residency
Regent candidates must be Minnesota residents. Candidates for the seat identified by congressional district must be residents of the corresponding district as defined by statute.

Interest in higher education
Knowledge and understanding of the higher education system in Minnesota and particular understanding of the role of the University as a public research and land-grant institution are advantages in seeking appointment to the Board of Regents. Candidates should at least demonstrate an informed interest in higher education and general awareness of the threefold mission of the University in teaching, research and outreach/public service.

Civic and social commitment
A record of civic and social commitment, whether through volunteer service or by the nature of one's employment, can be a helpful indicator of the kind of experience and dedication relevant to distinguished service on the Board of Regents.

Board experience
Candidates are ordinarily expected to have prior experience on boards of directors or other governing bodies with responsibilities analogous to those of the Board of Regents. In the absence of such experience, candidates may offer other evidence of ability to participate responsibly in the governance of a large and complex public corporation.

Personal qualities
Candidates must be persons of a high moral and ethical integrity. Among many other qualities which might be cited, breadth of vision and ability to work constructively as a member of a diverse group in an atmosphere of collegiality and common concern are perhaps most important. Scarcely less important is the ability to function calmly and impartially in meetings open to the public and under public scrutiny.

Conflicting interest
Candidates should recognize any activity that could be harmful or disruptive if appointed to the Board of Regents and should be willing to place the University before any self interest or constituency and act accordingly.

Candidates should recognize that holding or seeking major public elective office may be incompatible with appropriate service on the Board of Regents. Regent candidates should be prepared to discuss this possible conflict prior to selection, if it applies to them, and should be prepared to have to choose between regent tenure and other major elective public service if the question should arise during the term of regent service.

Feasibility
Candidates need to be not only willing but physically and financially able to devote a sizable amount of time and energy over a period of six years to a position for which there is no monetary compensation.

Student regent
Candidates for the student position on the Board of Regents must be enrolled in a degree program at the University at the time of election to the board. Candidates for the student position are judged by the same criteria as other candidates except that quality of participation in student activities is considered rather than experience on boards of directors or other governing bodies.

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Last Updated: 02/25/05 (mp)

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