UNO begins search for new president

A committee of Louisiana higher education officials is meeting to discuss the next leader for the University of New Orleans, kicking off a search that comes on the heels of months of turmoil and change at the campus. The committee, largely made up of members of the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, expects to begin advertising for applicants Sept. 19 and has the goal of selecting a president by Dec. 9. Students protested budget cuts at a demonstration a year ago. Then, chancellor Tim Ryan was ousted amid disagreements with LSU leaders. A proposal earlier this year to merge UNO with the Southern University at New Orleans was strongly backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal but died in the Legislature. The Legislature did, however, approve the transfer of UNO from the LSU System to the University of Louisiana System, which governs other regional universities around the state. The move still needs to be approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, with a decision likely to come before the end of the year.