Machen fully backed — departing or staying

It's a question of loyalty.

University of Utah President Bernie Machen is in Florida this week interviewing for a job, but his heart is still in Utah, higher ed officials say.

But at the heart of any career as a university president is the likelihood that the job will last only about five years before the urge hits to move on, according to State Commissioner of Higher Education Cecelia Foxley.

"I am never surprised when one of our presidents is involved in a search," Foxley said.

Past presidents of Southern Utah University, Weber State University and Utah Valley State College have lasted well beyond 10 years. Machen is in his sixth year at the U.

Foxley and others have only high praise for Machen, who is among 11 finalists in the search to replace Charles Young, the University of Florida's president since 1999.

"I feel we have been fortunate to have kept him this long," Foxley said. "Wherever Bernie is, he's going to be committed to that institution — that's just the way he is."

The State Board of Regents would have the final say on a replacement for Machen, who will know by Wednesday evening if he has the new job. Machen's interview with the presidential search committee will take place today at 1:15 p.m. Eastern time.

Regents chairman Nolan Karras has only "high regard" for Machen.

"It's been my experience that all these high-power presidents tend to climb the ladder and look to end their career in a bigger, faster place," Karras said. "It's part of the territory in my mind."

The University of Florida student population is just over 46,515, compared to 28,437 at the U. And Florida's football team is typically a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference.

Karras said that he wanted Machen to finish his career at the U., that he'd be "disappointed" if Machen left but that there's no question in his mind Machen will continue to devote his full time and energy to the U.

"I haven't felt that he was unhappy, dissatisfied, or like he would stomp out of here or something," Karras said. He pointed to Machen's enthusiasm and involvement in the recent search to replace Foxley, who is retiring in December.

Regent Jim Jardine, a former member of the U. Board of Trustees during Machen's administration, said he'd give Machen an "A" for his performance as president. "I don't think there's any need for a change," Jardine said.

Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Salt Lake, has gone toe-to-toe with Machen over whether to allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns on campus. Machen won the latest round in a court decision that allows the U. to stick to its policy on banning guns.

Waddoups said changing leadership at the U. probably won't sway popular opinion among educators that guns should be kept out of schools. Despite the chasm in philosophy on guns, Waddoups said Machen has "done a lot of good things" for the U.

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