Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) has called for a change in regents by-laws, urging that new regents board members have a say in the naming of the next chancellor. Current Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch and Vice-Chancellor Tony Bottar have both said they will not run for re-election at the conclusion of their terms in March. Their seats are set to be filled during a joint session of the Legislature in March, with the education policymaking board traditionally selecting its leadership that same month.

“It is essential that the newly-elected board members have a say in the upcoming chancellor selection,” said Ra. “We must not taint the selection process for the next chancellor. If we are to allow exiting members of the board to influence the selection of the next chancellor, we’re not justly representing the body of the board for next term.

“I am urging postponement of the upcoming chancellor selection until April, giving the newly-elected members of the board an appropriate amount of time to familiarize themselves with the candidates. This way, the new chancellor will have been properly selected by that current term’s board members.”