The Board of Regents Nominating Committee met Wednesday to interview candidates for upcoming vacancies in Board leadership positions, as sitting Chair Janie Mayeron and Co-Vice Chair Mike Kenyanya’s tenures come to an end this year.

Ultimately, the Nominating Committee did not come to a consensus and will be reconvening on June 1 for an official decision.

According to the regents’ bylaws, officers, including Chair and Vice Chair, must be elected every two years. The Nominating Committee, run by Regents Kodi Verhalen, Mary Turner and Tadd Johnson, is tasked with preparing a slate of recommended candidates to be voted on by the Board. 

Current Co-Vice Chair Douglas Huebsch and Regent Robyn Gulley are seeking the Chair position.

During his candidacy interview, Huebsch said his goal would be to bring order to the chaos the University has been facing and help Minnesota thrive through the next century.

In recent months, Huebsch and fellow sitting leadership proposed the Board’s controversial March resolution, which restricts institutional speech by requiring all statements of public concern by University faculty groups and departments be approved by the president.

Gulley was one of three regents who voted against the resolution, citing its vagueness and the concern that it may precipitate self-censorship on campus. 

Gulley is also being considered for a Vice Chair position, as are fellow Regents Ruth Johnson, Penny Wheeler, and James Farnsworth.

Throughout the consideration process, committee members were primarily interested in the candidates’ availability, unique attributes and whether they could effectively communicate. During deliberations, Regent Mary Turner added it was important their recommended slate have the backbone to challenge University administration.

As they serve, new leadership will likely face many unique challenges like contending with growing concerns over federal budget cuts and academic freedom on campus.

After a chair is elected, they are expected to appoint regents to standing committees, lead meetings and moderate discussions. The vice chair works with the chair to lead the Board and fulfills the duties of the chair in their temporary absence. 

The Nominating Committee decided the vice chair position would remain a shared responsibility and two candidates be recommended.