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Governance committee adopts leadership continuity policy to clarify interim authority
Summary
The Board of Regents Governance and Nominations Committee approved a leadership continuity policy that defines short-, long- and extended absences, requires the chancellor to designate an interim senior leader for short absences, and sets a 90‑day threshold for replacement. The measure will go to the full board for formal adoption.
Chair Richard Porth called the Governance and Nominations Committee to consider a new succession policy intended to clarify who exercises authority when a chancellor or an institutional president is absent. Karen Buffkin, board staff, summarized the draft, saying staff "cleaned up the definitions" of short-, long- and extended absences and clarified that a chancellor or president may designate a qualified senior administrative leader to act in their absence.
Buffkin said the draft requires a written designation by the chancellor for short‑term absences and explains that if an absence exceeds 90 days the board’s normal appointment processes would apply. "For an extended absence, which is one that would exceed 90 days, it would then revert to the normal process within the contract and within our rules and regulations and the board bylaws," she said.
Committee members pressed on how the policy would name and title acting campus leaders. Jessica (committee member) asked whether naming an "interim president" for short absences could create perceived instability; Buffkin proposed language requiring that the chancellor appoint "from among the vice presidents of the institution an individual to act on behalf of the president." Ira Blum suggested creating an "acting president" designation separate from a long‑term interim appointment. Committee members agreed the simpler wording — appointing an individual to serve as acting president — addressed the concern.
Donald Williams moved to adopt the succession plan as amended; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The transcript records members responding "aye" but does not list a roll‑call tally. The committee asked staff to format the draft as a formal policy document and forward it to the full board for final action.
The committee also discussed how the policy interacts with existing contracts and bylaws and emphasized transparency: if a designated senior leader is unavailable, the board chair would be notified and the board would follow its appointment procedures. The committee noted the policy does not limit the board’s authority to appoint a chancellor at any time.
The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the full Board of Regents for consideration at an upcoming meeting.
