Search for UNO chancellor stopped

A search for a new chancellor at the University of New Orleans has been halted because of uncertainty about the future of the school and the impact of additional budget cuts. John Lombardi, LSU System president, announced today the search was being stopped, based on the recommendation of outside consultants. “The consultants have indicated that we probably will not be able to identify a satisfactory pool of candidates until some of the uncertainties surrounding the future status, mission, and governance of UNO are resolved,” Lombardi wrote in a letter to Gary Solomon, who heads the search committee, and other members of group. “Given these uncertainties, coupled with various as yet unresolved state budget issues, many outstanding prospects with an interest in UNO proved unwilling to engage in more substantive conversations until the various issues are resolved.” Lombardi say the committee will be on stand-by, ready to go as soon as the search can be resumed. Joe King will continue to serve as acting chancellor and provost at UNO. Gov. Bobby Jindal has recommended the Board of Regents studies merging UNO and Southern University at New Orleans.