Trustees create wish list

The board of trustees wish list of candidates to succeed Myles Brand on an interim basis reads like a 'Who's Who of Indiana University.'\nThe group met for the first time since Brand shocked the University saying he was leaving Dec. 31 to run the NCAA, beginning a search to fill his vacancy. The trustees said they will announce an interim leader at their regular meeting Nov. 1. \nTrustee president Frederick F. Eichhorn confirmed that the list of interim candidates includes:\n• Retiring IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis Chancellor Gerald Bepko\n• Former IUB Chancellor Ken Gros Louis, now retired and living in Bloomington\n• Former IU President John Ryan, now retired and living in Bloomington\n• Vice President for Administration J. Terry Clapacs \n• Vice President of Diversity and Student Development Charlie Nelms\n• IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm\n• Kelley School of Business Dean Dan Dalton\nEichhorn said there is no front-runner yet.\n"There are 9 board members," Eichhorn said. "I can't say because I only have one vote."\nBut trustee Patrick A. Shoulders said Bepko, who annouced he will retire from IUPUI's top position in June, would be an excellent interim leader.\n"Gerald Bepko would be a strong candidate for the interim president," Shoulders said. "He has done a great job at IUPUI. IUPUI has won numerous awards from organizations that recognize excellence and if he were interested he would definitely be a strong candidate."\nBepko was not available for comment Wednesday evening.\nThe board indicated that most likely the interim president will have IU ties.\n"Of the people we discussed for interim president, I do not believe any of them were outside the University," trustee Jamie B. Belanger said.\nBelanger also said the interim leader won't be a permanent replacement.\n"I don't think the interim president will likely be the next president," Belanger said.\nThe trustees also laid the groundwork for a nationwide presidential search at Wednesday's meeting. They said they hope to have a full time replacement by July 1, 2003. The trustees will name a committee to find Brand's permanent replacement at its Nov. 1 meeting as well. Eichhorn said the committee will be comprised of IU faculty, administrators and students.\nIU spokesman Bill Stephan said the interim president will be counted on to secure funding from the state government, the same mission Brand will be tackling in his last 11 weeks at IU.\n"(The trustees) are certainly cognizant of the challenges that we face with the legislature given difficulties with the state's economy," Stephan said. "They are very interested in making sure that an interim president will maintain the momentum in the areas which the University strives in and that in large part is meeting with legislators."\nThe trustees also noted that the interim president will need to continue to expand IU as a research university.\n"The candidate needs to be someone who has familiarity with our Life Sciences initiative," Belanger said.\nAlthough he will have no authority in the selection process, Brand will be able to express his opinions on the candidates, Eichhorn said.\nBrand said the final decision is out of his hands.\n"The choice is up to the committee," Brand said.\nIt will be the first big University decision without his signature of approval in nearly nine years.\n-Staff Reporter Ryan Lengerich contributed to this report.