10 A.M. FRIDAY — UNC-system President Erskine Bowles announced this morning that he will retire from his post at the end of the year.
The announcement was expected. Bowles, who took the job in 2006, repeatedly said he only intended to hold the position for five years. Bowles turns 65 in August, the customary age for the system president to step down.
"Five years is about all anyone can stand under Erskine Bowles," he said at the UNC-system Board of Governors meeting, where he made the annoucement.
"While I am still as energized and committed to this job and while I love this university, I want to give this board plenty of time to launch this search and identify the right person to lead this university in the years ahead."
Bowles said that he had accomplished many of his goals as president, chief among them improving efficiency and accountability, and that the system was in a good place to introduce a new leader.
"I am confident that this board and university are ready and equipped for this transition," he said. "I have no doubt that you will attract a very competitive pool of candidates to what I believe is the best job in America."
But there is still work to be done before he leaves, he said.
"What I'm good at, we will have gotten done," he said. "At the end of the day, if we don't get there, it will be my fault."
Bowles plans to leave by the end of 2010, but that is contingent on the Board of Governors naming his successor and on the transition being completed, he said.