1.9 | Policy on Succession Plan for Presidency of Sampoerna University

1.9.1 | Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline an orderly process that transitions leadership of Sampoerna University in the event of a planned or unplanned departure of the current President.

1.9.2 | Scope

This policy provides guidance to the UC to implement a procedure for presidential succession and to ensure stable leadership for the University during the transition.

1.9.3 | Policy Definition

1. The term “Planned Departure” means The University President’s departure is planned when the announcement of incumbent executive departure contains key terms indicating that the departure is part of an orderly transition of power (i.e., retirement). The minimum period of notice is 120 days.
2. The term “President” means The Chief Executive Officer of the University and is appointed by the University Council. The University Council grants the President the general powers and duties of supervision and management of the business affairs of the University and the general direction of all of the academic programs of the University.
3. The term “Succession Planning” means The process of identifying the University President as well as other key positions within SU and developing action plans to identify, vet, and prepare individuals to assume those positions.
4. The term “Unplanned Departure” occurs when the incumbent is unable or unwilling to continue in his/her position due to unexpected illness, sudden resignation, legal obstruction, or employment by another organization without prior notice to SU.

1.9.4 | Policy Statement

Part I     Departure

1.1 Planned Departure
To assure an orderly transition of leadership, the President’s contract shall contain a provision requiring notice of no less than 120 days prior to departure.

1.2 Unplanned Departure
If the current President’s departure is unplanned, the University Council will take immediate action to appoint interim leadership from among the vice rectors. An unplanned departure may be the result of death, job abandonment of more than 30 days as determined by the University Council, a debilitating illness that renders the incumbent incapable of fulfilling his/her duties as President or an announcement by the President to leave the position without the required notice. Once these circumstances are confirmed, the Secretary of the University Council will call for an emergency meeting of the University Council.

Between the time the President is determined to be unable to fulfill his/her duties and the time when the University Council can appoint an interim President, the leadership of the University will fall to the divisional Vice Rector in this order: (A) Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and (B) Vice Rector for Administration, Resources, Management and Operations.

In its deliberation to name an interim President, the University Council may consult with other university stakeholders to identify and subsequently appoint an interim President, which will come from an internal officeholder at the University. The University Council will also launch a broader search, to include external candidates, for a new, permanent President. The interim President will be required to remain in place until the search is completed and a new President assumes office.

Part II     Presidential Search

2.1 Responsibility
A Presidential search will be conducted by the University Council with the assistance of outside search firms, as necessary. The University Council may also be assisted by the Human Resources Office to advertise, screen, and verify credentials of potential candidates. The Secretary of the University Council will support the University Council members in scheduling preliminary interviews with prospective candidates for the purpose of narrowing the list to a group of finalists.

2.2 Search Committee
A search committee will be appointed by the University Council and be responsible for reviewing, interviewing, and recommending candidates to the full University Council. This search committee will reflect the interests of all University stakeholders and have the following composition:

• Three members of the University Council, including the Chair;
• Four full-time faculty members;
• One full-time student;
• One alumni of the University;
• One academic Dean; and
• One full-time professional staff.

Candidates will be interviewed via videoconferencing and the selection narrowed to an appropriate number of candidates who may be summoned to the campus for interviews, from which a recommendation would be made to the University Council. The University Council is responsible for reviewing those candidates recommended by the Search Committee and selecting the new President.

Part III     Internal Interim President

3.1 Appointment of an Internal Interim President
The appointment of an internal interim President will be made from among the current vice rectors. This decision will be based upon an interview by the University Council and a review of their personnel records. University Council members may consult with other University stakeholders, but under no circumstances will other University employees or University patrons be involved in this interview and review process. The appointment of an interim President is the sole responsibility of the University Council.

The selected vice rector will perform all duties and functions of the presidency as specified in University policies.

3.2 Unusual Circumstances
In the event that the selected vice rector is unable or unwilling to fill the position of interim President, the University Council will appoint an interim President from among the other vice rectors or have the option to hire an interim from outside of Sampoerna University.

3.3 Scope of Authority of Acting Presidents Under the Succession Policy
Acting Presidents under this Succession Policy will assume the critical functions of the Office of the President and perform such powers, duties and/or responsibilities, in a manner to continue the business and operations of the University with minimal disruption until a permanent President is appointed by the University Council. The invocation of this Succession Policy, or any action taken by the University Council in relation to a permanent succession of the President automatically terminates the former President’s employment with the University and all associated powers, duties and/or responsibilities. If a President is permanently replaced under this Succession Policy, and the conditions that led to the permanent replacement of the President ceases to exist, the former President has no right to reassume the position or authority of President of Sampoerna University.

3.4 Current Issues and Considerations
The President shall operate in a manner that assures the vice rectors are knowledgeable and current on key issues facing the University. This will typically occur at regularly scheduled meetings of the University Executive.

Once approved by the University Council, this will be included as an addendum to the existing University Council Bylaws.

In the event of an unplanned departure, this succession plan will be automatically implemented within 48 hours unless otherwise directed by the chair of the University Council.