Paul Hammel
LINCOLN — Four days after Gov. Jim Pillen told the University of Nebraska regents they’re taking too long to hire a president, the board cracked open the door to possibly breaking a 4-4 tie.
The agenda for the regents’ Wednesday meeting was revised Tuesday to add another item: “POTENTIAL DESIGNATION OF A PRIORITY CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.” It means the board wants the legal flexibility to coalesce around a candidate and name a finalist for the job.
The regents’ next meeting after Wednesday’s is set for April 19, and under NU’s process for hiring presidents, the finalist or priority candidate must visit each of NU’s campuses and have a 30-day vetting period.
Deadlocked for months
The board has been deadlocked for months between two candidates: University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Gold and Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, neither of whom has commented.
Pillen, in a Thursday “call to action,” blamed the regents for not naming a presidential successor sooner and for the departure last week of the flagship campus’ athletic director.
Pillen’s push might have jostled a single vote loose on either side. It’s also possible the board could discuss a different candidate altogether to find consensus. Search committee members won’t talk publicly.
They were previously turned down by U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb. Some observers have hinted that they should consider contacting University of Florida President Ben Sasse, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska who formerly led Midland University in Fremont.
Interim NU President Chris Kabourek has gotten some internal support for the full-time gig, although in accepting the interim role, he was required not to apply for the permanent job.
Some recently told the Examiner that Pillen, a former NU regent, might want the board to declare a failed search. Doing so would allow Kabourek to apply formally for the permanent job.
Pillen’s input
Pillen last week acknowledged giving some input on the process. His wish list included selecting a candidate with Nebraska ties who is willing to stay for a decade. He also wants a candidate who respects the values of conservative Nebraskans, which some familiar with the search said was a push for someone who won’t advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Pillen campaigned against DEI efforts in his 2022 run for governor.
Some have criticized Pillen for meddling where he doesn’t belong. State law assigns responsibility for governing the university to the elected eight-member Board of Regents.
Public attention on the presidential search increased after NU Athletics Director Trev Alberts left last week to take the same job at Texas A&M University, citing concerns about leadership. Seven months ago, former NU President Ted Carter accepted a job leading The Ohio State University. He finished the calendar year in Lincoln.