The UNM Presidential Search Committee spent an hour and a half Monday narrowing down its list of applicants from last week's figure of 83 to a "number fewer than 15."
"That number could increase or decrease," said Larry Willard, acting committee chairman. "There are still some rÇsumÇs dribbling in."
No cut-off date has yet been established for applications, Willard said.
"We don't want to slam the door in anybody's face who could potentially be a top candidate," he said.
According to the UNM Web site, qualifications for the presidential position include the ability to lead a diverse, complex, public research university . . . that serves the entire state.
"We've got a fairly good mix in terms of gender and ethnicity," Willard said about the remaining 15 candidates.
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Other criteria for the position include being subject to a government security investigation and clearance to access classified information.
Willard added that the committee has not yet addressed the presidential security clearance issue.
The committee tentatively plans to begin conducting interviews at a remote out-of-state location, sometime near the end of February, Willard said. He added that the committee will fulfill all legal obligations concerning the disclosure of time and location of the interviews.
"If I had my druthers, I wouldn't have any (press) there," Willard said. "I'd say, 'let us do our business and let us get the job done.'"
Willard said that once interviews have been conducted, the committee will recommend between five and 10 applicants to the UNM Board of Regents. He noted the importance of giving the board some flexibility. The regents will then select five finalists for the position.
Willard said that the committee would like to finish the interviewing process by late March, though all dates are tentative.
"It would be nice if we could have somebody hired by April," he said.
Willard added that no full committee meetings are planned for the rest of this month.
However, the board, including the four newly appointed members, is set to meet Tuesday to discuss, among other things, an appointment to fill the position of chairman of the presidential search -- a position left vacant by the resignation of former Reg. David Archuleta.
New Reg. Maria Griego-Raby, who has participated on previous search committees at UNM, would be a possible choice, Willard said.
"At this point, I'm serving as chair," he said. "The Board of Regents is meeting tomorrow and we'll see what comes of that."
Willard said that despite Archuleta's absence, Monday's meeting went smoothly.
"Last week, the number went from about 80 down to 40 and this time to fewer than 15," he said.
