Selection Criteria for Trustee Nominees

It is highly desirable that nominees to the American University Board of Trustees demonstrate as many of the following characteristics as possible for consideration as a candidate to the Board of Trustees:

1. Clear understanding of and willingness to work actively to promote the interests and quality of the university;


2. Influence at the local, national, or international level that could be used in support of the university and its programs;


3. As means and time permit, a capacity and willingness to make significant contributions and/or assist in the university’s fund-raising efforts;


4. Leadership ability;


5. Special skills, talents, or interests that could prove of value to the university;


6. Ability to attend and be involved regularly in Board and committee meetings and other university activities;


7. Ethnic, gender, professional, and geographical diversity;


8. A relationship, if any, with the university -- e.g., alumnus/a, past or present parent of an AU student, member of a school or college advisory council, friend of the university, etc. -- other than a university employee. The university’s Bylaws do not permit a current university employee, other than the university president, to be a trustee; and


9. A lack of potential conflicts-of-interest (e.g., Board membership at a competing university).

(01/25/06)