The Board of Regents of the University of Utah have selected Mormon law professor and dean Michael Young as the new President of the University. The Deseret News has a story here. (Link thanks to Jared Jensen.) The story says:
- He said he is a “committed, active member of the LDS Church” and doesn’t see that as a conflict in his new role.
“It’s an important part of who I am and why I do what I do,” he said. “At the same time I have spent my entire academic career outside of Utah. It has never been a problem.”
Jardine [a member of the Board of Regents] said Young’s religion was not brought up as an issue as the regents discussed the candidates.
The Salt Lake Tribune has a story here, which also touches on the Mormon angle:
- Young said his Utah roots and his faith are a part of who he is. “I am a committed, active member of the LDS Church. At the same [time], I have spent my entire life outside of Utah and that has never been a problem.” The U.’s previous two permanent presidents were not LDS; the first 11 were.
Rob Allen, a Democratic state legislator, did note in the Trib story that Young needs “to remember that his main task is to help students and keep the U. an independent, secular institution.” And, yes, President Young is descended from the other President Young.
This should be fun to watch!
Anybody know if the “tightfisted”ness of the legislature has been tied to the Mormon issue?
As a member of the LDS student group here at GW Law, we’re very sad to be losing Dean Young. He’s done fantastic work in improving the law school during his 6-year tenure as Dean: from improving the physical plant to raising the school’s reputation. The U is making a steal.
And is it any wonder that Dean Young wasn’t interested in being Dean of BYU law? Lol…
However, I wonder if President Young will be allowed to teach at the UoU lawschool given their faculty hiring prejudices. He probably won’t have the time; but…interesting hypothetical.