3.4.13 Use of External Search Firms

In accordance with 110 ILCS 675/20-180, the University may employ an external search firm to facilitate the recruitment of the President and other employees where there is justifiable need for the use of the external individual or search firm.

1. Presidential Search: The Board of Trustees will authorize the hiring of an external search firm in the case of the hiring of the President of the University.
2. Searches for Other Positions: The President will review requests to employ an external search firm and decide whether there is sufficient justifiable need for guidance from an individual or firm with specific expertise in the field of hiring. 

The hiring unit in conjunction with Human Resources must make the request to employ an external individual or search firm, in writing, to the President. Such requests must establish that there is a justifiable need for guidance from an individual or firm with specific expertise in the field of hiring. The following qualifying criteria may be used to do so:

1. nature and scope of the position, including supervisory, fiscal, and compliance responsibilities;
2. the nature and scope of the search, including the success or failure of previous searches and the competitiveness of the labor market;
3. availability of University resources and talent to meet the University's goals for the search;
4. an external individual's or search firm's expertise in such matters as:
   • developing and enhancing the quality of a candidate pool;
   • recruiting and screening potential candidates;
   • coordinating search and recruitment logistics;
   • the specific field or profession relevant in the search;
5. minimization of potential conflicts of interests; or
6. the value of a perspective external to the University for the search.
7. any other factors relevant to a specific search and the University's goals for that search.

The President shall consider these criteria when deciding whether to employ an external individual or search firm and shall communicate a decision, in writing, to Human Resources and the hiring department. No action can be taken to engage these external services until written authorization to do so is received.