University of Washington regents select Robert Jones as new president

The Special Meeting of the University of Washington Board of Regents on February 3, 2025, focused primarily on the selection of the university's next president. The meeting began with a roll call of the regents, confirming the presence of key members, including Chair Mr. Tamaki and Vice Chair Mr. Forsman.

During the meeting, the board reviewed the qualifications of candidates for the presidency, having previously met in executive sessions on January 3 and January 16 to discuss potential finalists. Following these discussions, the board had delegated authority to negotiate a contract with one of the candidates.

In a significant development, the chair announced that an agreement had been reached with Robert Jones, the Chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The chair expressed enthusiasm about recommending Jones for the presidency, highlighting that all regents were present during the candidate interviews and acknowledged the strong qualifications of both finalists considered.

The meeting concluded with a motion to formally select Robert Jones as the next president of the University of Washington, marking a pivotal moment in the university's leadership transition. The board's decision reflects a commitment to maintaining high standards in university governance and leadership.