A committee of university affiliates and community members was named last week to help in the selection of the next president to replace President Peter Likins after his retirement next summer.

On July 5, the UA Presidential Search Committee was named by its chair Fred T. Boice, an Arizona Board or Regents member, a press release said.

The committee of 31 members consists of UA faculty as well as university affiliates and community members. It includes UA Student Body President Cade Bernsen, Arizona Board of Regents President Christina Palacios, and Mayor Bob Walkup.

Looking for a replacement for President Likins is an important task for the committee, Boice said in the release, so choosing qualified candidates is very important.

“I am extremely pleased with the quality of the individuals who have agreed to be a part of this process,” Boice said in the release.

“From the perspective of the Arizona Board of Regents, we feel that selecting a university president ranks among the most important responsibilities we undertake.”

Anne Barton, public affairs representative for the regents, has made a tentative timeline for the committee to select the new president.

She said it calls for a completion of the search and appointment by March.

The first committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for early September with forums in October and November, according to the release.

While the committee is the main voice of choosing a new president, the regents plan to hold forums for campus organizations to provide insight into what qualities and experience a new president should have, Barton said.

“The committee can’t include everyone, so forums will be an opportunity for campus organizations to share ideas with the committee,” Barton said.

Since the committee has not held a meeting, they have not specified what qualities they are looking for in a new president.

However, in the release Boice said the committee will make an effort “to recruit the most highly qualified candidates to serve the interests of UA and the state of Arizona.”

President Likins has been in his position at the UA since the fall of 1997.

Even with the help of such qualified committee members and campus organizations, choosing a new president will be a large undertaking, Boice said in the release.

“President Likins has done an excellent job leading the University of Arizona, and finding a replacement of his caliber will be no easy task,” Boice said in the release.

Andrew Greenhill, Mayor Walkup’s chief of staff, said Walkup and Likins share the same vision.

“He (Likins) has made real efforts to bringing together the university and city.” Greenhill said.