Aaron Sanderford
LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents met in closed session Friday and sketched out a process for regrouping after this week’s unexpected announcement that NU President Ted Carter is leaving to lead The Ohio State University.
NU Board of Regents Chairman Tim Clare said the board mapped the “first few steps” toward finding a replacement for Carter. Carter was known as a respected academic administrator who built strong relationships with conservatives and liberals alike.
“We talked about engaging the search,” Clare said. “We’re going to start right away on the search.”
Choosing a search firm
For now, that involves NU requesting interest from search firms willing to help identify potential candidates to lead NU’s four campuses. Clare said the board would likely hire the search firm during its next meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.
The second step involves finding people willing to serve on a search advisory committee for the next NU president. The regents are accepting nomination emails at [email protected] until the close of business Sept. 6.
‘Methodical’ process
Clare, in an emailed message Friday to NU students, faculty and stakeholders, said the group hopes to review search committee nominations in September. The goal: a committee that represent a broad swath of university constituencies and the communities NU serves.
“We’re going to be methodical,” he said. “We’re not going to rush this.”
Carter, hired Tuesday to be Ohio State’s 17th president beginning in January, has said he intends to serve the remainder of the calendar year at NU. Clare said the board did not discuss any date changes for Carter’s service. He will have served four years in the role by year’s end.
The regents’ focus is on attracting a top candidate to lead NU through the university’s five-point plan to move toward a “vision of excellence.” He also wants someone who understands the “great leadership” in NU athletics.
“I see us attracting some really outstanding people,” Clare said.