The Wyoming House of Representatives has given initial approval to a bill that would allow the University of Wyoming and community colleges in the state to keep presidential searches secret.
Media groups have sued to require UW to make its presidential finalists public as UW tries to find a replacement for the retiring President Tom Buchanan.
Supporters including Cheyenne Democrat Jim Byrd say that it gives the University the best chance to get a quality president because competitive candidates would not be compromising their current positions.
Byrd says, “The bottom line of this real quick is… Do you want an excellent opportunity to get a President for the University or do you want to get a mediocre President?”
House Floor Leader Kermit Brown says they want to get the bill to the governor as soon as possible in an effort to allow UW to continue its search.
It will be debated two more times.