It’s understood officials at Kansas State University and Pittsburg State University have their noses out of joint because of an apparent flip-flop by members of the Kansas Board of Regents on how they met and interviewed candidates for the KSU and PSU presidencies and the way they are handling interviews for the Kansas University chancellor’s job.

Thursday and today, regents are meeting in executive session to interview and select the new KU chancellor. Members of the search committee recommended three individuals for the KU job, and regents will make the final selection and settle on a salary figure.

All of this is being done behind tightly closed doors.

What’s got KSU and PSU officials and friends exercised is that regents required those schools to make public the names and biographies of their presidential finalists before the candidates were interviewed by the regents.

Officials at these schools want to know why the job search and selection process is different for KU compared to candidates for the Manhattan and Pittsburg openings.

The regents OK’d the “beauty contest” or “cattle auction” interview process for the KSU and PSU jobs but allowed the KU process to be kept under lock and key.

Why the special treatment for those applying for the KU position?

It’s likely regents realized the best chance to attract top talent for the KU chancellorship was to let applicants know their identities would be protected if they were interested in the KU position.

A high percentage of would-be candidates have second thoughts about applying for a job if it will be made public that they are looking for other employment. Often, this does not sit well with their current employers, and no one likes to have others learn they applied for a job and didn’t get it.

The Kansas regents realize they are making a tremendously important decision as they select the next KU chancellor. The leader of the state’s flagship institution plays a critical role not only for the university but for the entire state. It is vital for the search committee to do an excellent job in identifying candidates and for the regents to make a wise decision.

The quality and excellence of the next chancellor is one of the most important matters facing the state. The opportunities are great for the school and the state IF the right individual moves into Strong Hall.

The regents and members of the search committee were right to handle the selection process in an executive, secret manner. It offers the best odds of obtaining the services of a truly outstanding, visionary leader.

Let’s hope they took advantage of this opportunity by conducting an exhaustive search process that identified three outstanding individuals who have the ability to excite, enthuse and lead the university to greater levels of excellence in education and research.