Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents Chancellor Thom Reilly speaks during a special meeting, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 | 11:41 a.m.
Marta Meana
The state Board of Regents will consider extending the contracts of Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Thom Reilly and UNLV acting President Marta Meana through December because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The searches for chancellor, UNLV president and UNR president were suspended this month.
UNR President Marc Johnson is “unavailable” to continue serving through the summer, so the board will attempt to find a candidate to serve as acting president. Former Gov. Brian Sandoval announced today he was leaving an executive job at MGM Resorts International to pursue the position of UNR president.
In a statement, Board of Regents Chairman Jason Geddes thanked Reilly for his work and willingness to stay on longer than anticipated.
“We have delayed the current searches to ensure an open and transparent process with full involvement of the campus and community constituencies and in consideration for the health and well-being of all those involved,” Geddes said. “It is also important to have stability in these key leadership positions during this distressing time.”
Geddes has previously said the campus visits required as part of the presidential search would cause unnecessary health risks. Both UNLV and UNR have switched to remote instruction due to the spread of the coronavirus.
The board will make its decision at an emergency meeting on Tuesday. Members will consider conducting the search for chancellor in June and the presidential searches in September. Reilly will serve in an advisory role once a permanent chancellor is found, official said.
“I am thankful to President Meana and President Johnson and all of our institution presidents, who have shown remarkable leadership as we’ve navigated this tumultuous and unprecedented event,” Reilly said in a statement. “Nevada’s public higher education will return to a sense of normalcy and we must plan for that eventuality, which includes continuing these searches at a later time.”
