The ninth UCLA chancellor is scheduled to be named after top UC
executives meet Thursday to make a final vote.
The University of California Board of Regents plans to make a
vote of approval on the top running candidate for the job of UCLA’s
chief executive officer, as well as the compensation package for
the appointee.
Regents will meet via teleconference to "act on the appointment
and compensation of a chancellor for the UCLA campus," according to
a statement made by the UC Office of the President.
If a new permanent chancellor is named, this meeting will mark
the end of a year-long search process in which the members of the
advisory search committee, a committee composed of representatives
from different UCLA and UC-wide constituents, reviewed, interviewed
and discussed prospective chancellors.
The committee’s duty is to forward a recommendation to UC
President Robert Dynes, who will then relay the candidate to the
board for final approval.
Since the committee began its work a year ago, one prospective
candidate, Deborah Freund, a provost at Syracuse University, was
revealed, but Freund withdrew her name from the race just a few
days later, citing family conflicts.
Albert Carnesale, the former permanent chancellor, ended his
nine-year tenure on July 1 for a year-long sabbatical and plans to
return to teaching at UCLA thereafter. Following Carnesale’s last
day, Norman Abrams began his first day as interim chancellor.
Abrams, who was appointed by Dynes, is a UCLA professor emeritus
of law and long-time member of the UCLA administration and
faculty.
Since Abrams has taken the chancellorship, he has spearheaded
proposals to change UCLA’s admissions policies and proposed new
security measures to protect faculty and their research.
Although the new chancellor may be named this week, Abrams’ term
could last until at least the end of the academic year.
The most likely scenario is that, though the position may be
filled, the new chancellor may not be able to start his or her
duties until the next school year, Abrams said in an earlier
interview.
The regents meeting will be open to public comment at 9:55 in
the James E. West Alumni Center on Thursday.