In the aftermath of the Trev Alberts ‘good-bye Nebraska’, the University’s inability to name a new President is under fire.

At issue, an eight-year-old change in state law that put the Regent’s choice well behind closed doors.

[View our full video report above] 

Joe Jordan, NCN: The University of Nebraska has been without a permanent president going on some seven months now and some critics argue that slow roll led at least in part to Athletic Director Trev Alberts’ decision to pack his bags for Texas A&M. Well, yes or no, the ground rules surrounding the Board of Regents selection process for the next president is considered by some as way too secretive and is being challenged.

Mike Kennedy: Former Regent Candidate, Millard School Board Vice-President: “It's been way too secretive since they passed LB 1109 back in 2016 which allowed them to only announce a priority candidate of one, and present that to the public.”

Jordan: “We used to get to know the final four in effect.”

Kennedy: “Correct. Yeah, the final three or four. And that's the law right now that handles school boards. the community and state colleges in the state, but they exempted the university specifically, so they didn't have to announce their finalists.”

Mike Kennedy is the current vice-president of the Millard school board and former board president and also a former candidate for the Board of Regents.

Jordan: “The argument for the secretive process is you'll get better candidates, you'll get more candidates.”

Kennedy: “I think if you have a good job people apply. We had no problems getting quality candidates for Metro Community College when I served on the board there and selected the president. I selected 2 superintendents at Millard, we had no problem with that. Omaha just had a very successful search. I think when you have an open process you have the ability for the public to give input and also it forces a timeline, and it seems like for the past six months the Regents’ search was narrowed down to two or three candidates, yet they seem to be a deadlock.”

Jack Stark, NE Board of Regents (KFAB): “It's a really hard job. We cast a wide net. We looked at 60 candidates and I will tell you they're not out there. No one wants these jobs today.”

Jordan: “Regent Jack Stark has said, talking about the presidency, nobody wants these jobs anymore.”

Kennedy: “That's not true. There's a lot of people that would take these jobs and they have a couple people that want the job right now, that's what my sources tell me.”

Jordan: “Do you have any big hitters on your side of this, is the governor going to go with you?”

Kennedy: “Well no, I haven't talked to the governor about it, but I will tell you this: Jim Pillen had it right yesterday. The problem lays with the Regents. It's their decision. Having an open process helps the political process, by putting pressure from the public to come to a decision.”

Jordan: “Do you think there's any chance the legislature would overturn the 2016 law?”

Kennedy: “At this point in time, you’re too late into the (legislative) session but I think maybe the legislature needs to get involved. Tell the university, ‘If you don't get your act together, we may have to revisit this law.’”