Media file suit over search for UW president

Nov 27, 2012 - The Associated Press

CHEYENNE -- Several media outlets have filed a lawsuit challenging the secret search for a new president of the University of Wyoming, arguing that the public has the right to know the finalists for the high-profile job leading the state's only four-year public university.

The Associated Press, the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle of Cheyenne and the Casper Star Tribune filed the lawsuit Monday in state District Court in Laramie.

The Wyoming Press Association and its the remember newspapers were consulted on the suit as well.

UW spokesman Chad Baldwin said he could not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit because no one had a chance to see it Monday.

But Baldwin reiterated that the UW board of trustees decided to conduct a confidential search in order to attract candidates who might not apply for the job if their names were made public, and "we believe it is fully in compliance with state law."

The trustees will have to file a response to the lawsuit next month.