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Ole Miss to search for new leader as some worry about damage

University of Miss Chancellor Dan Jones speaks at a press conference at the Lyceum in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, April 2, 2015. Jones announced that he and the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning could not reach an agreement on his future as chancellor and that he would be leaving his position when his contract ends in September. (AP Photo/Oxford Eagle, Bruce Newman)
University of Miss Chancellor Dan Jones speaks at a press conference at the Lyceum in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, April 2, 2015. Jones announced that he and the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning could not reach an agreement on his future as chancellor and that he would be leaving his position when his contract ends in September. (AP Photo/Oxford Eagle, Bruce Newman)

By Associated Press 4 min read

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – With University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones saying he couldn’t reach an agreement with the state College Board to extend his contract, Higher Education Commissioner Jim Borsig said the board will launch a national search for a replacement.

Borsig said Thursday that process is likely to take at least six months, meaning the 23,000-student university may need an interim leader.

The broken relationship between Jones and the majority of the trustees who govern the school couldn’t be mended under the glare of protests and alumni threatening to withhold donations. Jones admitted as much Thursday, saying he couldn’t reach an agreement with the board to renew his contract past its current expiration date in September.

Meanwhile, Jones supporters said they fear damage to the school.

“I think it’s going to be difficult to get these people to rally behind a new chancellor and I think it could be a very difficult transition,” said Michael Barnett, chair of the faculty senate and a theater professor. Faculty, students and alumni groups has been pushing the board to retain Jones after the board announced it would let Jones’ contract expire in December.