The IHL board approved a leadership profile for Jackson State University's presidential search and voted to waive a policy that would otherwise bar the institution’s interim president from applying.

Trustee Cunningham presented the leadership profile, saying it was developed with JSU marketing staff, IHL staff and AGB Search consultants and had been shared with the search advisory constituency for feedback. "As chair of the board search committee, I make a motion that we approve the GSU leadership profile as currently written," Cunningham said; trustees then voted and the motion passed.

Cunningham then moved to waive IHL policy 201.0510, which states that a person serving as acting or interim president at the time the formal advertisement is made may not be considered as a candidate for the permanent position. "I move that the board waive this particular policy, which is 201.0510 for the current GSU presidential search so that the interim president of Jackson State University may be considered as a candidate for the position of president if she chooses to apply," Cunningham said, adding the waiver "does not diminish this being a national search at all." Trustees seconded the motion and approved it by roll call.

The board recorded that AGB Search intends to advertise the position next week. Trustees said comments received from the advisory constituency were incorporated into the profile. The motions were passed by roll call with recorded 'aye' votes from trustees present; audio problems were noted for one trustee earlier in the meeting but subsequent roll calls recorded Parker voting 'Aye' for later motions.

The actions mean the interim president of Jackson State University will be permitted to submit an application and be vetted alongside other candidates recruited through the national search process. The board did not name the interim president during the recorded discussion. The meeting proceeded to adjourn and then to the convening of the Health Affairs Committee.