U. of Massachusetts Trustees Defend Presidential Search to Governor

Two members of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees were slated to meet with Gov. Deval L. Patrick, The Boston Globe reported, to defend the search process for the university system’s next president. Martin T. Meehan, a former U.S. congressman and current chancellor of the Lowell campus, is reportedly a finalist for the job. The newspaper quoted anonymous sources who said the governor, a Democrat, was concerned about the appearance that a former politician had the inside track. Supporters of Mr. Meehan’s candidacy said he had been a strong chancellor and could be an advocate for the system as it copes with looming budget cuts. Meanwhile, the Associated Press quoted Governor Patrick as saying that the new president needed broad experience in national higher-education circles, the ability to raise funds outside the state, and a national stature.