"... my husband, me, and my boss ..." Interesting. I thought Meredith's rationale for secrecy was to keep folks' bosses from knowing about it & possibly taking retaliatory action.

So, if secrecy is not to protect applicants from their current employers, what's the rationale?

Keeping searches secret is total nonsense. I believe that candidates actually prefer that others know they are among the leading candidates for a position elsewhere. I have seen far too many attempt to use such information successfully as a vehicle for a megabuck salary increase. And yes, I am referring to USM.

I agree some of it is about avoiding embarrassment, but there is probably a great deal of variability between different candidates as to whether they can get away with telling their boss.

I imagine that Dr. Saunders told the president of the University of Wisconsin System but did not tell members of the Board of Regents, and that probably makes sense. The president, who is a professional administrator, probably said thanks for letting me know and good luck. On the other hand, the governor appointed board of regents, who probably got their appointment through loyalty to the governor or his party (shown by donations), probably look at job loyalty in a very different light.

Another point was brought out in this quote:
"If her name leaked out much sooner, "it would have been disturbing" to people in Wisconsin....Some would wonder if the Wisconsin educator was "shopping around" for another job or was staying, she said. "We are getting ready to start a capital campaign."

Once again, capital campaigns are all about showing loyalty to your alma mater by giving. This might be a harder sell if people think the president is ready to jump ship for any opportunity.

I think it is safe to say that some of the most secret searches in colleges are those for head coaches.  If I am not mistaken, the AD has to be contacted first before someone can talk to a coach.  Therefore, secrecy is not about preventing retaliation from their boss.  Instead, it is about retaliation from alumni and recruits that are convinced of loyalty to a team above all else.

asdf wrote:

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I agree some of it is about avoiding embarrassment, but there is probably a great deal of variability between different candidates as to whether they can get away with telling their boss.

I imagine that Dr. Saunders told the president of the University of Wisconsin System but did not tell members of the Board of Regents, and that probably makes sense. The president, who is a professional administrator, probably said thanks for letting me know and good luck. On the other hand, the governor appointed board of regents, who probably got their appointment through loyalty to the governor or his party (shown by donations), probably look at job loyalty in a very different light.

Another point was brought out in this quote:
"If her name leaked out much sooner, "it would have been disturbing" to people in Wisconsin....Some would wonder if the Wisconsin educator was "shopping around" for another job or was staying, she said. "We are getting ready to start a capital campaign."

Once again, capital campaigns are all about showing loyalty to your alma mater by giving. This might be a harder sell if people think the president is ready to jump ship for any opportunity.

I think it is safe to say that some of the most secret searches in colleges are those for head coaches.  If I am not mistaken, the AD has to be contacted first before someone can talk to a coach.  Therefore, secrecy is not about preventing retaliation from their boss.  Instead, it is about retaliation from alumni and recruits that are convinced of loyalty to a team above all else.

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I am still trying to understand why in our state a sitting president can apply openly for jobs and interview openly and there is absoutely no consequence(not that I think there should be).   The IHL commissioner says his main reason for secret searches is that the candidates will not be open.

Not only do the sitting presidents let it be know they are searching for other jobs....the IHL gives them a contract renewal.

I think the "W" is going thru a fundraising campaign.