The UA Board of Regents met Monday, Aug. 24, to choose a search firm to help conduct� the search for the 13th president of the UA System.

The favored firm following the Request for Proposals process was AcademicSearch, of Washington, DC. Board members said they were impressed with the firm because it focuses solely on executive searches for colleges and universities. The decision was unanimous of the nine regents present for the meeting, conducted via telephone.

The decision means UAF Procurement, which provides purchasing services for the UA System Office and the Board of Regents, will notify the firm and negotiate a contract. The firm’s fee, according to its proposal, will range between $65,000 and $85,000 (not including expenses, such as travel). Board members noted the fee was very competitive and another reason it was attractive.

What will happen next is an AcademicSearch representative will meet with board members to learn more about the 16-campus system and the kind of president the board wants to hire. From there, a job description will be crafted, advertisements placed and candidates recruited.

The process is expected to take some time. UA President Mark Hamilton announced his intention to retire in June, and told board members he’d stay as long as needed. Board Chair Cynthia Henry said the lead time was considered a plus by AcademicSearch.

For the latest information on the UA presidential search, go to� www.alaska.edu/bor/ and click on “presidential search” at the bottom left-hand menu.