Committee approves measure to reform U of M regents selection process

The often criticized University of Minnesota Board of Regents selection process could undergo significant changes.

Four bills designed to modify the process were brought before the House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee Tuesday. All four share a common theme: reduce or eliminate the role of the Regent Candidate Advisory Council in the process.

Following an overview of the selection process late last month, committee members felt compelled to make changes.

“I’ve had some great conversations with folks, and I think that overall I appreciate that there seems to be a consensus for reform of the way we elect regents,” said Rep. Abigail Whelan (R-Ramsey).

At that time, Regent Darrin Rosha described what he believed were some questionable tactics that the RCAC had employed during the review of his application, including an overly invasive screening process. Rosha said he supports reform and testified in favor of HF2682, sponsored by Whelan, which would eliminate the RCAC.

Rep. Abigail Whelan

“In short, nothing is lost.” Rosha said. “In fact you just end up with a much better relationship, and much better process between the Legislature and candidates of the Board of Regents, which I think would certainly make the process more streamlined, and I think would produce great results.”

Currently, the RCAC recruits and screens potential candidates and passes its recommendations on to a joint legislative committee. However, HF3372, sponsored by Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls), the committee chair, would change that by replacing the RCAC with a nine-member, bicameral, bipartisan Legislative Commission on Regent Selection.

Approved as amended by the committee, it now moves to the House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee. Its companion, SF2611, awaits action from the Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee. Its sponsor is Senate President Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville).

The proposal calls for a Legislative Commission on Regent Selection to be formed by Sept. 1, 2018, with four House members and four Senate members, appointed by legislative leaders. A ninth member would be appointed by the appointing authority. The commission would assume the duties of the RCAC and the rest of the process would remain largely unchanged.

Rep. Tony Albright (R-Prior Lake) said he was also troubled by some of the actions taken by the RCAC during past regent searches, but cautioned against being too hasty to eliminate the organization.

“While we would certainly take umbrage that some of the actions and activities that they have undertaken in previous regent reference searches and interviews, I think some of the responses given here, with all due respect, are a bit of a rush to judgment with regard to the activities of the RCAC,” he said. “I do think that it is incumbent upon us to utilize the services of the RCAC.”

He proposed and withdrew an amendment that would have streamlined the RCAC, but left it intact.