MEMORANDUM

TO: Faculty, Deans, Directors, and Chairs

FROM: Edward J. Ray and C. Bradley Moore

SUBJECT: Request for Proposals to Build a World-Class Faculty

The Research Commission report and the Academic Plan identified the need to recruit and retain faculty as the highest priority for meeting our goal of becoming a top-tier public research university. In this Request for Proposals we address the goal of attracting to Ohio State a number of eminent faculty who have achieved or are expected to achieve the highest level of recognition in their individual disciplines. Such individuals include members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academies, the Institute of Medicine and individuals who have achieved great distinction in fields outside the realm of the National Academies.

The Research Commission Implementation Committee recommended a flexible recruitment process that allows academic units to take advantage of windows of opportunity, including opportunities such as the Ohio Eminent Scholars Competition.

Essential components of an implementation plan include:

• Eligibility of all academic units.

• Hunting licenses will be issued for specific individuals and for a defined timeframe.

• A committee of the Universitys most eminent faculty, in consultation with noted experts in the areas, will rank order the qualifications of all of the names submitted.

• Academic excellence will be the overriding criterion for ranking potential hires.

• Appointments that will help build multidisciplinary programs are encouraged.

We request that initial proposals be submitted by February 1, 2001 to the Office of Research, 208 Bricker Hall. The Office of Academic Affairs will cover 50% of the salary for the designated individual for a period of 10 years, at which time responsibility for the full salary will revert to the unit. The Office of Research will provide 50% of the start-up costs. The proposal should include:

1. The names and curriculum vitae of up to three eminent scholars that might be targeted in this search. The document should include a one or two page write-up indicating the key focus of each scholar.

2. A discussion of the programmatic strengths currently available on campus and the role of each potential hire in developing multidisciplinary research and graduate educational activities that will meet the objectives of enhancing the States educational, economic and social development.

3. A list of three individuals from outside the University who could act as external consultants in the selection process. These individuals should have prominent research programs and be among the most knowledgeable persons in the discipline.

4. A description of the funding that would be necessary to attract the most eminent faculty. Include salary issues, start-up costs and renovation costs as necessary. Address the units component of both the annual rate and start-up costs.

Proposals will be accepted and ranked on a continuing basis. Hunting Licenses for those individuals at the top of the list will be issued as funds become available. Questions concerning this Request for Proposals should be addressed to either Alayne Parson (2-5881 or parson.1@osu.edu) or Keith Alley (2-1582 or alley.2@osu.edu).

cc: William E. Kirwan