BISMARCK - The Senate on a split vote approved a bill Friday that would exempt initial applications for university president jobs from the open records law.
The Senate approved Senate Bill 2087 30-15.
The bill, requested by the state Board of Higher Education, would allow search committees for university presidencies and the position of chancellor to withhold the names of initial applicants.
The number of applicants would be made public.
Once the committee makes an initial cut, the applicants still being considered would be contacted. The applicants would have two weeks to withdraw from the search if they didn't want their names revealed.
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Sen. Ryan Taylor,
D-Towner, a member of the Senate Education Committee who initially opposed the bill, said the amendment suggested by Sen. John Andrist, R-Crosby, won him over. The committee gave a unanimous do-pass recommendation.
The bill originally proposed by the higher education board would have kept all applications secret except at least five semifinalists.
The bill now moves to the House.
