Panel hopes to suggest Regents president by April

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A search committee for Connecticut's Board of Regents for Higher Education says it hopes to recommend a candidate for the board's new president to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in April.

The governor has authority to appoint the board's president. That person could begin work in mid-to-late summer.

Robert A. Kennedy stepped down as president after the board learned he had awarded $250,000 in pay raises to staff without the board's permission or knowledge. Also, he had been receiving a $340,000 salary in addition to other compensation, including an un-vouchered expense account. He later returned $25,000.

On Friday, the search committee said it has appointed members of an advisory panel that will help find a new president. The panel includes faculty members, union officials, students, administrators and professional staff.