What began as hushed conversations Thursday evolved into group discussions taking up much of Friday’s University of Colorado Board of Regents annual winter retreat: the regents want more guidance from CU President Bruce Benson and assurances that they’ll play a major role in selecting his successor.
All conversations about choosing the next university president are prefaced with this: the topic doesn’t imply Benson is going anywhere anytime soon. Regents and Benson traded off reminding the room in sly smirks that the 79-year-old president could continue his role for five, 10, 20 more years.
When the time comes, though, regents want to be ready.
“Hiring and firing the university president is the most important thing we do,” said Regent Heidi Ganahl, a Republican in at-large seat.
As it stands now, the CU Board of Regents selects a presidential search committee made up of two regents; one dean of a school, college or library; four faculty — one representing each campus — who are members of the faculty senate; one student; one staff member; two alumni, and four community members.
The search committee will recommend presidential candidates to the full Board of Regents, which will decide which candidates get interviews and, ultimately, which person is right for the job.
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