Dr. Lisa Freeman
As NIU Executive Vice Provost and Provost Lisa C. Freeman prepares to become acting president of the university July 1, she is acting in accordance with the NIU Bylaws to name her temporary replacement.
Freeman has sought the opinions of her colleagues across campus “at a particularly challenging time in the history of NIU, during which it will be crucial to support the continuity of operations and to sustain major university initiatives.”
After consultation by the Office of the Provost with the leadership of the Faculty Senate and staff councils, a survey instrument was used to seek anonymous feedback from members of the Council of Deans and the University Advisory Committee to the Board of Trustees as well as from the leadership of Human Resource Services.
Respondents are providing feedback on the nominee’s qualifications:
- Academic leadership experience;
- Working knowledge of diverse academic disciplines;
- Direct engagement in international initiatives;
- In-depth knowledge of NIU’s institutional culture, policies and procedures, including shared governance;
- Experience managing departmental and college level budgets and personnel actions;
- Established reputation for fairness and transparency;
- Track record of using data to inform decisions; and
- Ability to communicate effectively with multiple internal and external stakeholder groups
The process adheres to Section 19.5 of NIU’s bylaws.
“If it is necessary to fill an administrative office, either because the incumbent is on leave of absence or because the office must be filled on a temporary basis while the search procedures specified in Section 19.3 of these bylaws or in other university regulations are being completed, the administrative officer to whom the person to be appointed will report may appoint a temporary, acting replacement,” the bylaws state. “This appointment shall be made only after consultation with the principal faculty committee and other committees routinely involved in advising the administrative office being filled.”
Members of the Board of Trustees will consider Freeman’s nominee during the Wednesday, June 28, meeting.
