Harter finalist for Florida university job

UNLV President Carol Harter's claims that regents micromanage and are high-maintenance stunned board members, who otherwise weren't surprised Thursday to learn Harter had been recruited by a Florida university.

Harter is one of seven semifinalists for president of the University of South Florida, a public research institution in Tampa that has an enrollment of 35,000.

During the recruiting process, Harter also told interviewers the board forced former Chancellor Richard Jarvis out of office, according to a report from the consulting firm that conducted the USF search.

Regent Mark Alden said he believes Harter's comments are related to the fact that Nevada is one of only five states that still has an elective Board of Regents that must answer to constituents.

"When we answer the needs of constituents, we get into issues that presidents sometimes feel is micromanagement," Alden said.

"If it's difficult for presidents to adjust to the Nevada style of board governance, which might include micromanaging in some people's eyes, maybe it's time to find an environment they're more comfortable with."

Harter was reported to be vacationing in Florida and could not be reached for comment today or Thursday.

In a statement faxed to regents Thursday, Harter announced she has been nominated as a candidate. Harter has interviewed with USF's consultant, Morris & Berger of Pasadena, Calif., and is scheduled to visit the campus Jan. 20-22.

"Although I have not pursued a new position, I have been recruited recently to become a candidate for the presidency of the University of South Florida," Harter said in the prepared statement.

"While I am now a finalist for the position and plan to visit that campus, I have made absolutely no decisions regarding whether I would accept the position, if it were offered," she said.

Todd Simmons, South Florida's director of media relations, said Thursday that the position was left open in July when President Betty Castor resigned to head the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Simmons said Morris & Berger narrowed the field of applicants to 23 in September and after extensive background checks whittled the number of candidates to seven.

Beginning Monday, the semi-finalists will undergo intense interviews with a variety of groups.

"(Harter) will go through a two-day process and meet with a long list of university and community groups; the faculty senate, the administrative and professional council and all sorts of student groups," Simmons said.

Simmons said by Feb. 2, the field is expected to be narrowed to three, and the chancellor will recommend the finalist March 10.

Regent Tom Wiesner suggested that Harter might be frustrated at UNLV because of the lack of parity in funding universities in the north and south. The state allots the University of Reno $534 more per student than it does UNLV.

"The funding formula hasn't always worked out the best for the south," Wiesner said. "It's frustrating, and it has got to be changed."

Regents agree Harter's strengths are her ability to plan and to raise money. In her five years at UNLV the university's endowment has increased from $42 million to $82 million.

Alden said UNLV has yet to build a reputation for research and therefore doesn't receive as much money as institutions like South Florida.

Alden called Harter an "up and coming star" in the academic field and said her opportunities are limited at UNLV.

"Opportunities arise," Alden said. "They had a search firm, and Dr. Harter came up on the radar. I'm not surprised at all."

Board of Regents Chairwoman Jill Derby said the only source of frustration she sensed from Harter is that she and her husband are working in different states. Harter's husband is a dean at Sacramento State University.

"I know that has been an issue," Derby said. "But Carol Harter enjoys an outstanding national reputation. It's only natural that other colleges and universities would be interested in her."

In her interview, Harter contends she has earned a favorable reputation because of her ability to plan, raise funds and build relationships with faculty and other governments, according to the search report.

"I believe in implementing plans, not going through the process and putting them on the shelf," Harter said in the report. "This gives a campus a sense of shared goals and helps guide the general direction of the institution."

Harter said her weaknesses are that she is "task-oriented" and can become impatient. She said she sometimes moves quickly assuming that her colleagues and staff are keeping up.

The report says she is willing to give employees who are not performing up to expectations a chance to improve. If the employee fails, she said she tries to find a position that is a better fit.

While Harter never mentions Jarvis, she said she expects her chancellor to be a mediator whose strengths are in politics and advocacy. She said she would like to have a "collegial" relationship with the chancellor.

When asked her opinion of the major issues facing higher education, Harter said tuitions are too high and undergraduate programs often subsidize graduate programs. She also cited access to universities as a growing concern.

"Access is a major issue," she says. "Keeping the door open to whoever wants it without maintaining an open door policy is a very delicate balance."

If Harter is offered the job and accepts it, the state's university system would be left with three significant administrative voids.

Jarvis resigned in August to become the founding chancellor of the United States Open University in Washington, D.C. And Richard Moore, president of the Community College of Southern Nevada, was chosen to head the new four-year state college in Henderson.

Despite the potential vacancies, Regent Steve Sisolak said he is confident the system will continue to operate smoothly.

"Harter has surrounded herself with a phenomenal staff," Sisolak said. "The institution will continue to run, the system will continue to run and students will continue to be served."

Other than Harter, the field of seven semifinalists include the provosts from Ohio University, State University of New York at Albany, Clemson University, Brown University and the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin.

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