Gov. Parris N. Glendening removed himself yesterday as a candidate for the lucrative position of state universities chancellor, conceding that his quest for the job could damage the system's reputation.
"The University System of Maryland is one of our state's crown jewels. The search for its next leader cannot suffer even the slightest hint of compromise," Glendening said in a letter sent yesterday evening to Nathan A. Chapman Jr., chairman of the system's Board of Regents.
"Because of my love and affection for the University of Maryland and the university system, I will not allow any action I take to cause harm. Therefore, I ask that my name no longer be considered for the post as you continue with the current search process," he wrote.
Glendening's decision came amid mounting pressure from ethics experts and university financial backers, who said it was inappropriate for him to seek a $345,000-a-year job from the regents after appointing or re-appointing every member of the board.
Joining the chorus yesterday were two former regents who urged Glendening to take himself out of the running.
"We've got to have a really top-drawer individual," said Wendell Holloway, an administrator at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, who left the board in 1998. "I'd say to him, `Run for another office.' I personally don't think he should be chancellor."
Another former regent, Ilona Hogan, said that because each board member was appointed by Glendening, "they're going to be under tremendous pressure, and it's going to be real tough for them to stand up to the governor."
Glendening's sudden decision caught many by surprise and came even as support for his candidacy appeared to be coalescing among leading Democrats.
In a statement last night, Glendening confirmed for the first time that he was an official candidate for the job, saying "it was a tremendous honor to be nominated by some of the leading citizens of the state."
Glendening's press secretary, Michelle Byrnie, said the governor's decision was "100 percent final," leaving no room for reconsideration in the future.
The withdrawal was cheered by legislative leaders of both parties.
"He ought to be commended for putting the interest of the university system before his own personal interests," said Del. Howard P. Rawlings, a Baltimore Democrat and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
"He's certainly a qualified candidate, but I don't think he anticipated, for example, the reaction of the donors threatening to withdraw their funds."
The Sun reported this week that two donors had threatened to withhold more than $1 million they pledged to a university fund-raising arm if Glendening stayed in the race. A third donor, Richard E. Hug, a longtime Republican fund raiser, came forward yesterday.
"I've said publicly to many people that I will withhold my pledge if Glendening becomes chancellor," Hug said. "You can quote me on that. I have nothing to hide behind."
Del. Robert L. Flanagan, a Howard County Republican who was considering legislation to block Glendening's bid, said, "I'm pleased the governor has had second thoughts. This relieves the Board of Regents from a conflict of interest.
"The governor is usually pretty brazen. This showed a lot more discretion than he has shown in the past."
Glendening was a longtime political science professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, and talk of his desire to be chancellor had percolated for months. For much of that time, the governor would say only that he wouldn't rule out the position when his term ends after next year.
But his interest became clear this week in comments he made in an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Because the journal reaches a national audience of educators, many predicted his statements would have a chilling effect on other university officials who might be interested in the job.
Lawmakers and regents said they had fully expected the governor to pursue the job despite critics' concerns.
"I am surprised because I am convinced that if he wanted this position he would have been the next chancellor, because he is very talented at achieving his goals," said Rawlings.
Said regent Thomas Finan: "Wow. I'm totally dumbfounded. ... This action demonstrates his commitment to doing what he sees as in the best interest of the university system."
Regent Lance W. Billingsley, a longtime friend of the governor, said he was "disappointed and regretful that it turned out this way. I'm not saying he was the most qualified, but he was eminently qualified."
Glendening's announcement leaves the regents and their search committee with less than five months before the current chancellor, Donald N. Langenberg, is scheduled to retire. The search committee had hoped to have finalists named by Jan. 1 - a deadline that has been pushed back.
Those who opposed Glendening's bid were optimistic, though, that the process will now be jumpstarted without him in the picture.
