The Idaho State Board of Education has selected Steven Daley-Laursen, University of Idaho College of Natural Resources dean, as interim UI president.

Daley-Laursen first came to the university as a student in 1976. He earned a master’s degree in forest services management and a Ph.D. in forest science from the UI in 1979 and 1984.

He will serve in the post until the board selects a permanent candidate.

Current UI President Tim White announced his resignation last month to take over the chancellorship at the University of California-Riverside. White’s last day at his Moscow post is June 30.

University of Idaho President Tim White has been named chancellor of the University of California-Riverside.

University of California Regents on Thursday approved UCR President Robert Dynes’ recommendation to hire White, who has served as UI’s president since 2004. White, 58, will leave the Moscow school effective June 30 and begin his duties at UC-Riverside on Sept. 1.

University of Idaho President Tim White comments

As chancellor of UC-Riverside, White will receive an annual salary of $325,000, as well as university-provided housing, an automobile allowance, a $25,000 relocation allowance, and other benefits; White’s base salary at Idaho was just under $292,000, plus similar amenities.

The Idaho Board of Regents will outline the next steps concerning appointment of an interim president and the process by which a search for the UI’s next president will take place.

UCR’s previous chancellor left in June to become president of Purdue University.

University of Idaho President Tim White may be headed to a new position in California.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports that the University of California regents are expected to announce the name of UC-Riverside’s new chancellor Thursday morning, and government sources said the new chancellor could come from Idaho.

White had informed the Idaho Board of Regents and senior university leadership that he had been approached by another institution, but has not disclosed that institution’s name. White has been president of the Moscow school since August 2004 after previously serving in several leadership positions at Oregon State University.

UCR’s previous chancellor left in June to become president of Purdue University.