July 1, 2009, is the deadline for finding new deans for the colleges of Law and Visual and Performing Arts, said Provost Ray Alden.

Alden said searching for a new dean for each college is a challenging, ongoing process. Acting deans have filled in until permanent deans are finalized.

“Generally, we keep these positions fairly open,” Alden said. “What we don’t want to do is pick a weak candidate. We tell acting deans that we’d like to keep them on board until we could find a good, permanent dean.”

Finding a permanent dean is no easy task. Search committees were first assembled for each college. Members of those committees then partake in a series of meetings, interviews and screenings with both their colleagues and the candidates. Committee members also network among themselves and other universities to find qualified professionals that may fit the bill, Alden said.

What makes a strong candidate, he said, is the combination of experience and academic leadership. Establishing a rapport with faculty, staff and students is also expected. Alden mentioned that deans should be scholarly and good role models.

“It’s a matrix of different qualifications that we’re looking for,” Alden said.

In January, former dean of the NIU College of Law, LeRoy Pernell, surrendered his chair for the same position at Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando. He was replaced by Associate Dean Malcolm Morris, who continues to serve as the interim dean until a permanent replacement for Pernell can be appointed.

Meanwhile, former dean of the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts, Harold Kafer, stepped down in June to become the Deputy Provost. Before accepting the new position, he contemplated retirement.

“Provost Alden convinced me that my long experience at NIU could be of further benefit to NIU,” Kafer said. “This is my 18th year at this institution; the bulk of my academic career. I felt that I had a responsibility to say yes to Provost Alden’s request.”

Kafer said working in the College of Visual and Performing Arts was “an honor beyond measure,” and expects the department to find someone well-versed in the arts with an understanding of the issues surrounding higher education.

The searches for the new deans have taken two different paths, but the goal is the same between them.

“We’re just getting started in the search for Visual and Performing Arts, and we have a pretty aggressive schedule for the Law School dean search,” Alden said. “Law schools are much more specialized. This is our second year looking for a dean and we want to make sure that the candidates of choice are not only qualified as an academic leader, but the external constituencies feel they are right for the college.”