Muleskinner

Issue date: 6/15/09 Section: News

UCM President Aaron Podolefsky will keep his position at the University, based on a decision by the board of trustees of the University of Central Arkansas Thursday.

Allen Meadors, chancellor of the University of North Carolina, was offered the Arkansas university's presidential job, after the hiring pool had been narrowed to four candidates.

"I would have had to have given it [taking the job] some serious thought," Podolefsky said. "Some of the candidates were vice presidents looking to move up, but I was just looking at the possibility of a parallel position."

Podolefsky's reservations about taking the job revolve around the "scandal" that has befallen UCA this past year. According to a June 12 Log Cabin Democrat report, the university's tax audit is under investigation by 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden.

One of the main concerns revealed in the audit was a "transfer of public funds to private funds in payments from an advertising agency to the UCA athletic department." Clint Conque, the head football coach, had met his pay cap, and the funds were transferred to give him extra money for appearing on TV shows.
Other discrepancies being investigated in the audit include former president Lu Hardin's buyout package, debt for the Oxford American, a $6 million line of credit and discretionary scholarships.

"When they asked me what my questions were to them, I said, 'What is your perception of whether the institution can now turn the corner and change the conversation so that everything isn't about the scandal at UCA?' Podolefsky said. "The responses were interesting. 'We don't really think it's that big of deal. The enrollment is still growing.' That was telling answer to me."

Although Meadors was nominated for the position in January, he did not officially submit his application until May 2, long after a finalist list had been formed. UCA drafted his contract Friday, and if negotiations go as planned, he may sign the contract as early as Monday.

Podolefsky was nominated for the position Feb. 24, and was part of the final four candidates up for consideration. He visited the UCA campus in April for his initial interview.

"At this level, you do want to be careful to make a mistake. Here, I'm at a place I love," Podolefsky said. "The institution is doing very well by any measure. There are still projects; buildings are going up, and I would like to be here when these buildings open. We have two years of celebrating."

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