The University President Selection Reform Act mandates that the state board of regents shall use a presidential selection committee when electing a president for institutions of higher learning. This bill specifies that only board members can serve on the committee, which is responsible for recommending the most qualified candidates to the board. The board is then required to elect a president solely from these recommended candidates. Additionally, the committee is authorized to contract for services from professionals who specialize in placing qualified candidates in leadership roles and to utilize funds allocated to it by the board.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that the identities of candidates under consideration by the committee will remain confidential in accordance with Code chapter 22, which pertains to open records. Disclosure of a candidate's identity will only occur if a written agreement is made between all committee members and the candidate. This change aims to enhance the selection process for university presidents while ensuring confidentiality and professionalism in candidate evaluation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 262.9