UNC Wilmington is closing in on selecting its next chancellor, and predictably, the search has been tight-lipped.

As is the custom when public universities in this state search for chancellors, those doing the searching are sworn to secrecy. Passwords, secret meetings and everything aside from Cold War-era spy techniques are employed to throw reporters off the scent to maintain the anonymity of candidates.

This is done, university officials always say, to insure that the institution gets the best possible applicants, since some top candidates are scared off if they know their interest will be made public.

As the Wilmington Star News reports today, UNCW faculty, staff and students involved in the process have signed confidentiality agreements. That's not unusual.

The search committee at N.C. Central University that sought a replacement for departed James Ammons did so and communicated partly in code.

UNCW is looking for a replacement for Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo, who is retiring.

UNC Wilmington is closing in on selecting its next chancellor, and predictably, the search has been tight-lipped.

As is the custom when public universities in this state search for chancellors, those doing the searching are sworn to secrecy. Passwords, secret meetings and everything aside from Cold War-era spy techniques are employed to throw reporters off the scent to maintain the anonymity of candidates.

This is done, university officials always say, to insure that the institution gets the best possible applicants, since some top candidates are scared off if they know their interest will be made public.

As the Wilmington Star News reports today, UNCW faculty, staff and students involved in the process have signed confidentiality agreements. That's not unusual.

The search committee at N.C. Central University that sought a replacement for departed James Ammons did so and communicated partly in code.

UNCW is looking for a replacement for Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo, who is retiring.

N.C. State is set to name Purdue's provost as its next chancellor.

NCSU and UNC system President Erskine Bowles this week zeroed in on William "Randy" Woodson, the provost at Purdue University in central Indiana.

Like NCSU, Purdue is a large, public, land-grant university and Woodson has a long background in horticulture.

The UNC system's Board of Governors is expected to approve Woodson's hiring Friday morning.

 Here's the story.

If you have an opinion about who the next chancellor should be at N.C. State, today would be a good day to head to campus.

NCSU is holding a series of forums today to gather input on the chancellor search. The university is seeking a replacement for James Oblinger, who as you may recall, stepped down earlier this summer as questions arose over his involvement in the hiring of former First Lady Mary Easley.

Forums for faculty, students and staff will be held starting at 12:30 today at Stewart Theatre.

An evening forum for alums and other folks interested in the process will be held at 6 p.m. at the McKimmon Center.

Here's more information.