Regents, administrators and students agreed that Robert Shelton, who was named UA president Friday, was the best candidate for the job, as he was the only presidential candidate recommended by all representative groups on campus.
Shelton, the executive vice chancellor and provost at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, was unanimously chosen Friday by the Arizona Board of Regents to succeed President Peter Likins on July 1.
Fred Boice, chair of the search committee, said he's been "delighted" with what Likins has brought to the UA and welcomes Shelton because of how much he will be able to build on the work of his predecessor.
"If we didn't find these qualities in Shelton, we'd still be looking," said Boice, adding that student input was integral in the decision process. "Shelton rose to the top and his career path led him to this position."
Likins said he would have accepted the regents' decision no matter what, but their reasons for choosing Shelton were consistent with his views.
"Shelton is prepared by experience," Likins said.
Regent Jack Jewitt said he believed Shelton is highly qualified to take the reins from Likins.
"Dr. Shelton's life work prepares him for this day," Jewitt said. "He has the capacity to move the university to new levels of excellence."
Regarding the UA's national reputation, Shelton has the ability to push the UA to compete with the best universities, said Vicki Chandler, a professor of molecular and cellular biology.
"We are ranked 16 right now," Chandler said. "We want to be in the top 10."
Ann Hasselmo, a search consultant for the presidential search committee, said the UA's top job was desirable to everyone around the nation.
"Everyone around the country will applaud this decision," Hasselmo said.
Student Regent Ben Graff, the only student with a vote on the board, said he had a good impression of Shelton from the beginning.
"Shelton was part of my personal top-10 list very early on in the process," said Graff, a third-year law student. "I am very pleased that he will be the next president."
Many student government officials echoed what the regents said, adding that they were pleased because the committee listened to student input and because Shelton considers "shared governance" a top priority.
"I'm thrilled," said Erin Hertzog, acting president of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona. "I think we got the best person for students. He came with the highest regard from them."
Fernando Ascencio, Associated Students' Association director, said Shelton's appointment is not only good for students but for everyone on campus.
"This is a win for all members of the community," Ascencio said.
Graduate student leaders said that of all the candidates, Shelton most resembled Likins' pursuit of student success at a Research-I university.
"I'm absolutely not surprised of the announcement," said Paul Thorn, vice-president of external affairs of the Graduate and Professional Student Council. "He's more than qualified to do the job. His preparation and leadership was similar to Likins, and I believe he'll do a good job filling Likins' shoes."
GPSC research and policy director Randi Tanglen said GPSC members hope to "start out on a good foot" with the current Tar Heel provost by discussing such topics as differential tuition between undergraduate and graduate students and graduate student medical benefits.
"We hope he's as approachable and has the same open-door policy as Likins," Tanglen said. "Together, we can work alongside one another and continue what President Likins has already set forward."
Some students around campus kept close tabs on how the presidential search process played out and said they hope Shelton can address and fix problems such as the rise in tuition, class availability woes and financial aid.
Mark Gregory, a biochemistry sophomore, said he didn't think the board of regents rushed the decision to announce Shelton as the new president, which occurred just a week after his campus forum visit and a week of regent deliberations.
Gregory said registration is a major concern for students because of the trouble he's had getting into classes for his major during his freshman and sophomore years.
While he doesn't expect the problem to be fixed right away, Gregory said Shelton should set a goal of five years to rectify the registration woes and find a way to even the playing field with student tuition.
"Paying $7,000 a semester here is pretty outrageous," Gregory said. "I think the UA needs to re-evaluate the tuition money gaps between in-state and out-of-state students in order to increase our standing as a top public institution."
John Putz, a psychology junior, said he would have liked to see female presidential candidate Deborah Freund replace Likins because "it would be nice to see a woman in charge."
Putz said the remaining three candidates, including Shelton, all had similar business backgrounds and he wanted there to be a more diversified person to take over for Likins.
"It didn't seem like the candidates had the same educational backgrounds, merit, esteem and standing as President Likins," Putz said. "It's hard to replace him because everyone likes him so much."
Putz also said financial aid is important for all students and believes the UA should offer more scholarships or tuition breaks to students after their freshman and sophomore years.