Search for president for UW intensifies

It's a plum job, one that comes with a mansion, tickets to Husky football and basketball games, the chance to get to work with some of the smartest people in the country, and all the prestige accorded the head of a major research university.

Insiders say the University of Washington's hunt for a new president is accelerating. The regents have had two closed-door meetings in the past two months, presumably to discuss candidates.

They're charged with finding a candidate who can meet some lofty expectations: An effective fundraiser, a strong lobbyist, a big thinker, a scholar, a rock star.