The Board of Trustees is in the process of filling three at-large seats. Alabama voters approved an amendment introducing two new at-large positions to The University’s governing body in November, bringing the total number of seats to 16.
Raymond Harbert, chairman and chief executive officer of Harbert Management Corporation and at-large Board of Trustees member since 2009, is also facing the end of his term, leaving three seats open.
Charles McCrary, retired Chairman of the Board of Alabama Power Company and at-large Board of Trustees member, said the open positions present an opportunity for the Board to reflect the student body.
“The new positions create the opportunity for more in the Auburn Family with different experiences and perspective to serve as Trustees," McCrary said. “They also point the Board toward a better reflection of the students and the state we serve.”
In a letter to the Auburn Family announcing the search for new members, Governor Robert Bentley said the selection committee is looking for “leaders who are forward-looking, service-oriented and dedicated to furthering Auburn’s instruction, research and extension missions.”
According to the Board’s Constitutional Statement, the members of the board were chosen by the Governor with the consent of State Senate, and served for a 12 year term prior to 2003.
The application process is different now, beginning with candidates nominating themselves or being nominated by someone else.
Described in the Alabama Constitution, applicants must be a resident of the continental United States, cannot be an employee of Auburn University and cannot be a member of the Selection Committee. If someone is nominated and meets the criteria, they will be chosen by the Committee to be interviewed.
The Selection Committee is composed of two members from the Board of Trustees, Charles McCrary and Elizabeth Huntley; two members from the Auburn Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, Beau Byrd and Jack Fite; and Governor Bentley or his designee.
When the Committee completes their interviews and decides on the candidates they wish to fill the open seats, they send their names to the State Senate for confirmation and the newly appointed member will start their term in the 2017 legislative session.
McCrary said the at-large Board members help guide and represent Auburn.
“The overriding quality and characteristic, in my opinion, is a leader who is best able to serve, represent and help guide Auburn,” Charles McCrary said.
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