James H. Finkelstein is a professor emeritus of public policy at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.
Stories by This Author
The Review | Opinion
College leaders are already well paid. Why should they get ultra-low-interest loans too?
Advice
Nearly every campus looking for a new president first hires an executive-search consultant. Too many make an ill-considered choice.
The Review | Opinion
Why enrich someone whose career ended in controversy?
The Review | Opinion
Austerity has become the rule in higher ed, except at the very top.
The Review
An essay that called for secret presidential searches should be viewed with skepticism.
The Review
Search firms do, if it means more business for them. And the presidents themselves can, via lucrative termination clauses in their contracts. But colleges have much to lose.
The Review
Who are governing boards protecting with such requirements?
The Review
You might assume that your presidential-search firm is doing all the appropriate background checks. You might be wrong.
The Review
Across higher education, executive searches are growing in number and cost. Colleges and their governing boards should exercise caution before signing on the dotted line.