Committee's search for new university president gets off to slow start

"People are just being nominated now," said Jennifer Aviles, a member of the committee and a University of Arizona human resources administrative associate. "There have only been about two weeks for people to sit down and to decide whether or not they want to apply."

The search began Feb. 14 when the committee members met for the first time, discussing the timetable and ground rules for the presidential search.

An advertisement for the position appeared March 7 and March 14 in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

"We haven't received enough applications yet," said Susan Heckler, committee member and associate professor of marketing.

"The search is on schedule and the advertisement has gone out, but gathering people takes some time."

Student Regent Jonathan Schmitt said, "We have received about 40 applications so far, but we are still in the nomination stage."

Schmitt, a committee member and agricultural and resource economics senior, said he did not know whether the 40 applications were actual applications or merely nominations.

To become an applicant, individuals must nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual, he said.

Schmitt said search consultant Bill Bowen, of Bowen, Heidrick & Struggles, was hired to encourage people, who fit a list of qualities set by the committee, to apply.

"We are expecting up to 300 applicants," Schmitt said.

Tony Seese-Bieda, assistant executive director for public affairs for the regents, said it was not lack of applicants, but overscheduling of meetings that mandated the cancellation.

"When the search committee first selected the meeting dates, they cushioned it, putting in additional meetings," he said.

Heckler also said that additional meetings were scheduled so the committee members have time set aside if a meeting is necessary.

"It was a structural thing," Heckler said. "There are people on the committee who are working in organizations all around Arizona."

UA President Manuel Pacheco, who has accepted the position of president of the University of Missouri System, will begin his new duties Aug. 1.

The search committee will meet again April 18 and is expected to make a decision by late June, Schmitt said.