UPDATE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18: The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees appears ready to formally elevate Randy Boyd to president and remove his interim title.
The board will meet by video and phone conference March 27 in a special-called meeting, the University of Tennessee System announced Wednesday afternoon.
Board chair John Compton has praised the entrepreneur's work as interim over the past 18 months and said it's time to make his leadership permanent. Boyd met with system campuses earlier this month on a town hall tour ahead of the formal, anticipated vote.
Trustees also will get an update on response to UT efforts to combat the coronavirus, which include shifting largely to online instruction this semester. Students have been directed to go home.
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PREVIOUS STORY: The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees is considering removing the 'interim' from UT Interim President Randy Boyd's title.
UT Board Chair John Compton said Wednesday during the winter meeting at UT Chattanooga he is recommending Boyd to formally serve in the position and extending his term as president for five additional years.
"Based on positive feedback from Boyd’s review process—including hearing from legislators, University Faculty Council, as well as alumni, staff and student leadership councils and boards—UT Board Chair John Compton said he recommended removing the interim title and extending Boyd’s term as president for a term of five additional years," a press release from UT said.
Compton said he wants to hear from UT students, faculty and staff about Boyd taking on the role formally.
“Naming the president of the University of Tennessee System is one of our most important decisions that we will undertake as trustees, and I just want to make sure that we are as considerate and comprehensive as possible to all key stakeholders,” Compton said.
After a series of campus visits and review of feedback, the board will hold a special meeting to discuss Boyd's service as president.
Boyd began serving as interim president in 2018, initially saying he would only serve two years. However, he said he has enjoyed serving as president and would remain in the role if asked.
“There’s no better job in the state of Tennessee than serving the state of Tennessee through the University of Tennessee,” Boyd said. “I’d be happy to continue serving for a few more years, if you’ll let me.”