MSU Board of Trustees releases statement on presidential search

Michigan State University's Board of Trustees plans to hire an adviser to help find a new president.

The board released a statement Monday saying its looking for someone with deep experience and stature in public higher education.

Board members say they want to make sure the adviser hears input from students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders.

The full statement reads as follows:

"We are providing an update to keep the MSU community informed on the process of identifying a permanent president for Michigan State University. We appreciate the input of students, faculty, staff and the broader MSU community through our numerous meetings and conversations as we begin planning for a comprehensive presidential search.

"As a next step, the Board of Trustees intends to select and hire an adviser to help guide the development and implementation of the presidential search. This action is a preliminary step to ensure the input of all stakeholders is garnered and considered before further action, such as the retention of a search firm, is taken. Our goal in selecting an adviser is to identify someone with deep experience and stature in public higher education leadership who can ensure student, faculty, staff and stakeholder input are a key part of the search effort and to facilitate conversations that clarify institutional goals and translate them into specific hiring criteria. In our effort to promote transparency and provide opportunities for input, we will continue to provide updates as this process evolves."