The Board of Regents will begin searching for an interim University president immediately, said board Chairwoman Maureen Reed.

University President Mark Yudof announced at a news conference Friday that he would leave the University to become chancellor of the University of Texas.

Yudof’s contract requires him to stay at the University for at least 90 days to aid in the transitional period. He said he has not set a date for departure to Texas but anticipates he will leave in late summer.

“We can’t be too specific today with transitional plans,” Yudof said.

After an interim president is selected, a regents-approved committee will conduct a nationwide search, Reed said.

It is too soon to disclose specific details about possible candidates for either position, Reed said. The board must vote to approve the final candidate, and anyone can be nominated to be part of the candidate pool.

“We expect the trajectory to continue going up,” Reed said. “The board will put the wheels in motion.”

The Board of Regents is expected to next meet June 13 and 14.

Reed said Yudof has “built a foundation” for the next president.

“The next president will be standing on the shoulders of President Yudof,” Reed said. “The next president will lead us forward to the future.”

– Elizabeth Putnam