Mississippi Today has learned that Glenn Boyce (ex-commissioner of the Institutions of Higher Learning) will be the next chancellor of University of Mississippi. This was confirmed by several sources. After conducting interviews with several applicants on Wednesday and Thursday, the 12-member IHL board decided to appoint Boyce. This shortened their search time by several weeks and waived vetting visits for university constituency groups. Boyce was the IHL commissioner between 2015-2018. He also served as a consultant for the IHL board during this chancellor search process. He met with potential candidates as well as alumni to help determine how the process should proceed. According to people familiar with the matter, Boyce’s consulting contract was paid through University of Mississippi Foundation and not through IHL. Because the university foundation isn’t subject to public records laws, the contract amount isn’t publicly available. Boyce did not submit a formal request that was submitted to the Campus Search Advisory Committee. This committee included alumni, students, and faculty. Boyce was granted what is known as a “backdoor” interview by the IHL board. This means that the board and other search consultants reached him privately and included him in the process. The IHL board approved Boyce’s interview after several candidates were interviewed, including Texas Wesleyan President Fred Slabach and Michael Benson of Eastern Kentucky University. Also, Auburn University Provost Bill Hardgrave and Cal Mayo, an Oxford lawyer, and Jim Barksdale, a Jackson businessman. Soon after the interview was over, Boyce was appointed chancellor. https://mississippitoday.org/2019/09/29/we-need-a-leader-with-vision-inside-the-politically-charged-ole-miss-chancellor-search/
Although the vote count wasn’t immediately available, a majority (11 members) voted in favor of the election. Boyce did not return several messages. For several months, rumors about Boyce’s hiring erupted around Oxford. At an IHL board meeting in September, a few alumni urged the IHL board not to hire Boyce. According to Campbell McCool, an Oxford businessman, the rumor that the IHL board will review all applicants is disturbing. He said that the board would offer the job to someone who had been a consultant to the board. “I don’t mean to be disparaging any person, but I ask that this process be fair and legal.” Boyce, a Madison native and New York State native, told the IHL board on Sept. 5. Boyce was previously president of Holmes Community College, Goodman. Boyce holds a doctorate and undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi, and a masters degree from Mississippi College. His doctorate was in education leadership. Mississippi Today’s coverage of the chancellor search is available here.