Applicants have recently been narrowed down and negotiations are underway with a candidate for the new UCSD chancellor. The person who is selected is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

The search committee submitted recommendations and a short list of possible candidates to the UC Office of the President on Feb. 25.

According to Vice Chancellor of External Relations James Langley, the number of candidates on that list has been kept confidential.

“We’re at a stage where negotiation is occurring with a particular candidate and at a stage where the UC president is trying to secure an appointment,” Langley said.

According to Langley, the negotiation process is kept confidential and could include discussion of salary (which needs to be approved by the UC Board of Regents), a starting date for the term, and other needs such as lab equipment and space.

“I am only speculating, but it is not unusual to make sure all ‘i’s are dotted and all ‘t’ are crossed before a public announcement is made,” Langley said. “All of it has to be approved by the Board of Regents before it’s announced, and that entails calling special meetings.”

While there is no specific date available for when the announcement will be made, there are still expectations that information will be out within the next few weeks.

“We can’t get a target date of when negotiations with this individual will end,” Langley said. “But it is close. I think that the plan is still for within a week or two.”

According to UCOP spokesperson Lavonne Luquis, the process is still underway.

“I don’t have any specifics right now,” Luquis said. “I know that they’re well into the process, but there’s nothing on the calendar and there is no specific date for the announcement.”

The advisory committee for the selection of a new chancellor first met in October 2003 and held interviews with applicants prior to the submission of their list to Dynes, who has the final say on who will be recommended to the Regents.

According to A.S. Vice President Internal Jennifer Pae, who served as student representative to the committee, the process and make-up of the committee allowed for diverse opinions.

“I definitely thought that we were productive, as much as I would have hoped to be,” Pae said.

According to Langley, the length of the selection process depends on the negotiations with the individual candidate.

“It is not unusual to have protracted negotiations with a candidate, given the weight and scope of the responsibilities,” Langley said.