Greetings From North Dakota
 
I need some advice on an issue that some of you may have faced at your
institution.  I am serving on the search committee for the Dean of the
College of Business Administration at North Dakota State University.  We
are at a preliminary stage, establishing the minimum and
preferred qualifications for candidates.  It has been suggested that a
candidate must have "an earned doctorate in a functional area of
business."  I intend to argue that the qualifications should be broadened to
include the JD as an "AACSB equivalent" and that the degree field include
business law/legal studies.  I have fairly strong support for this
position in the College, but it is apparently meeting with some fierce
resistance.
 
I would be interested to know whether anyone has had any experience with
this issue in a Dean's search context.  Also, what approaches worked or did
not work for you?  What arguments were the most (and least) persuasive to
others within your College or within the search committee?  I am aware of
some members of our profession who serve as Deans, Associate Deans, and
Chairs, but I am sure I don't know the names of all of them.  Could you
share that info with me?  Any ideas or input would be appreciated.
 
I realize that from a practical perspective, it may not
matter.  I expect that there will be few applicants for the
position with a JD
who have academic and administrative experience in a business school.  But
even if it
is largely symbolic, I want to make a statement to my colleagues that
business law
faculty are not second-class citizens in the business school.  Let me
know what you think.  Thanks.
 
Michael Garrison