Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson, recently defeated in his White House aspirations, is now interested in becoming the next president of the University of Arkansas System.
UA System trustee Sheffield Nelson told the Arkansas Times today that Hutchinson called him about the job within the past two weeks.
“He called me to say he’s thinking about it.” Hutchinson said he knows the president’s job may come open, Nelson said in a brief interview.
Nelson said he has “no idea” if the board would agree to hire Hutchinson, a Republican who appointed eight of the panel’s 10 members, including Nelson. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed the two newest members, Kevin Crass and Scott Ford.
“I think Asa’s got a great background,” Nelson said. “I think he’d be a good one to talk to” about the president’s position.
Nelson said there “have not been any formal discussions” by the board, even in executive session, about hiring Hutchinson. “At some point, it’s got to come up,” though, Nelson said.
Nelson is no fan of Bobbitt, who angered Nelson and a few other trustees last year by not being more open with them about efforts to buy the University of Phoenix, albeit through an affiliated nonprofit company. In April of last year, the board narrowly rejected a resolution supporting Bobbitt’s efforts that by then had gained national publicity and criticism, especially from skeptics of the for-profit Phoenix.
Nelson and Bobbitt’s relations were so strained, in fact, that Nelson said he had decided not to serve as board chairman because he would have had to work so much with Bobbitt.
Bobbitt, whose contract runs through Jan. 1, 2026, did not immediately return a phone message today.
Bobbitt’s job status has been a topic of discussion since the controversy over his Phoenix proposal. Still, he survived that ordeal and went on to win a new contract that took effect in January. That contract, however, allows the board to terminate his contract “for convenience,” or without cause, and not continue paying him thereafter as long as the board gives him 90 days notice before such a termination. He could transfer to a tenured professor’s job if he chose.
UA System spokesman Nate Hinkel did not immediately respond to a request today under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Perhaps that’s because many offices in schools and universities across the state are closed for spring break this week.
UA System trustee Ted Dickey told Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist John Brummett, “Right now, we have a president in Don Bobbitt, and as long as he is the president, I’ll do all I can to support him. If I’m on the board when there is a vacancy, I’ll advocate for a comprehensive search and support the decision of my fellow board members. In the meantime, I cannot comment on speculation.”
Neither Bobbitt nor Hutchinson brings youth to the university system. Bobbitt is 67; Hutchinson, 73. As for experience, Bobbitt holds an extensive educational background, while Hutchinson’s resume is in the law and government.
