Rogers officially appointed chancellor

Monday, May 9, 2005 | 9:30 a.m.

University regents unanimously appointed TV station owner and philanthropist Jim Rogers as the system's ninth chancellor on Friday, the anniversary of Rogers' initial appointment to the interim position.

The nine regents present and other staff members gave Rogers a standing ovation after regents approved his $23,660 a year contract.

Rogers had the inside track to become the next chancellor the minute he threw his name into the mix for the permanent position in February, but he did compete against six other candidates in a national search for the position.

Rogers waived the use of all perquisites such as a host account, housing and automobile allowance that are typically provided to University and Community College System of Nevada executives.

Rogers' contract, which pays him the minimum amount allowed by law, runs through June 30, 2008. It allows either the chancellor or the Board of Regents to terminate the contract without cause with 30 days' notice.

The contract does require that Rogers, the millionaire owner of Sunbelt Communications Co. and one of the system's biggest donors, to devote himself full-time to the position. The regents chairman must be notified of any planned absences of a full day or longer, and any outside activity may not compete or go against the best wishes of the Board of Regents.

Preferring short sleeves and suspenders to a coat and tie, Rogers' first words as chancellor were "Can I take my tie off now?"