8.1 The Hiring Decision

The search committee is not responsible for deciding which candidate is to be hired for a particular position. Rather, the Department Approver, in consultation with the Dean/Division Approver or Executive Approver, will select the finalist to be offered the position based on the ability of the finalist to perform the job requirements as evidenced by the credentials, interviews, references, job-related criteria, and diversity objectives of the University. When the Department Approver is ready to recommend a candidate for hire, the Department Approver or administrative support person submits a request to extend an offer of employment.

This is the final documentation of the search process, indicating the recommended finalist and comparing all interviewed candidates. This documentation allows the hiring unit to explain briefly how the recommended candidate met the qualifications for the position and provide written documentation for review and auditing purposes. The Department Approver must ensure that the hiring recommendation covers all interviewed candidates relative to basic and desirable qualifications, and any other criteria that distinguish the recommended candidate from other applicants, such as years of experience, references, publications, record or honors received. All explanations for the hiring decision must be factual and specific. If the proposed salary exceeds the proposed salary range, salary approval must be obtained from Human Resources before making the offer to the candidate. For faculty positions, proposed salaries must be approved by the Dean and Provost.

Before a position is offered to a candidate, a request to extend an offer must be completed and approved by the Department Approver, Dean (for faculty searches), the Executive Approver and the Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance. At any step in the approval line, the search committee chair and/or the hiring unit may be contacted for further information on how the search committee came to their decisions. This could include requesting further information on why certain candidates were not selected.