UNLV professor may be named acting higher ed chancellor

A law school professor and a strategic advisor to UNLV's president will be nominated to serve as acting chancellor over the state's public college system.

The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Friday to discuss nominee John Valery White.

White is the former Dean of the Boyd School of Law.

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White would step in as Dan Klaich -- a longtime fixture in higher education, dating back to his days as the student body president of the University of Nevada, Reno -- leaves with an early buyout as the chief executive officer over the system. Klaich took the early retirement following allegations he misled lawmakers during discussions about funding the state's seven colleges.

Klaich was vindicated by board members during a meeting May 12. Many spoke about the funding formula and how a committee, in a lengthy process, reallocated money to the state’s seven colleges. But despite emphatically repeating that the current funding formula is sound and fair,  the board and Klaich decided the allegations had become a distraction.

White is listed on the UNLV website as a law professor and strategic advisor to UNLV President Len Jessup. White and Jessup both applied for the open UNLV President post in 2014. It was given to Jessup, who was named the UNLV President in January 2015.

White did not immediately return a call or email for comment.

“John White has the temperament and intellect to serve as acting chancellor,” said Regent Chair Rick Trachok.  Trachok said he is asking his fellow board members to approve White while a national search is done for the next chancellor.

White, if approved as acting chancellor, would not be permitted to apply for the permanent position.  He would assume the acting post on July1, if approved according to a memo Trachok sent to other regents on Friday.

White was the second dean of the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 2007 to 2012. He was later named the Executive Vice President and Provost.

White graduated from Southern University in 1988 and Yale Law School in 1991.