UNC alumnus could return as president

A face familiar to the UNC system might have been added to its list of presidential candidates.

In an interview with the Associated Press, University of Missouri President Elson Floyd left open the possibility of a run for the top seat of the UNC system.

Since graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with three separate degrees, Floyd has served as assistant vice president for student services for the UNC system and as former chief administrative and operating officer and dean at UNC-CH.

Floyd, 49, is a native of Henderson.

The only person to formally announce that he hopes to become the next UNC-system president is Erskine Bowles, former chief of staff for President Clinton and a two-time U.S. Senate candidate.

The news comes as the UNC Board of Governors’ Presidential Search Committee puts the finishing touches on several preliminary stages of the search.

Two important packages were to be set before the committee in a meeting held after press time Wednesday: a leadership statement and a compensation package.

Considered by some as a profile of the next UNC-system president, the leadership statement gives characteristics the Leadership Statement Subcommittee deems necessary in the next system leader.

As a member of the subcommittee, Peter Keber said he is happy with the final product.

“It makes a statement of where the university is, where the university’s been, and where we think it ought to go,” he said. “I’m very proud of our work.”

A preliminary copy of the statement said the university system expects “extraordinary vision and leadership” from the next president, among other things.

The compensation package, created by the Compensation Subcommittee, outlines what is necessary to attract the best candidate pool.

Along with providing the president with housing, a car, health insurance, a retirement plan, leave and other benefits, the subcommittee recommended an annual salary between $350,000 and $450,000.

The entire BOG will vote on both issues during its August meeting.

If both the package and statement pass through the committee and BOG, then the search could start, said BOG member Hannah Gage.

“The process for actually advertising and searching for individuals would begin,” she said.

But until a replacement is accepted by the BOG, current UNC-system President Molly Broad will remain at the helm of the system.

In April, Broad announced her intention to retire as soon as a replacement is approved.

Officials central to the search have opted against setting a timeline, preferring to allow for a full and complete process.

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.