UConn Chancellor Mark A. Emmert is one of a handful of educators who are candidates for the chancellor's position at Louisiana State University, a 30,000-student, land grant university in Baton Rouge, La., officials there announced March 16.

Emmert, who joined UConn as provost and vice president for academic affairs in April 1995, last week told UConn President Philip Austin he was a candidate for the post. Emmert spent three days last week interviewing at the school, located about 70 miles from New Orleans. He is one of three people being brought to the school for interviews, LSU officials said, adding that several others also may be invited. A university spokesman said they hope to select the new chancellor within the next month.

"The chancellor within the LSU system is the chief executive officer of the main campus in Baton Rouge and this would thus be a significant promotion from his current post as chief academic and operating officer," Austin told UConn's Board of Trustees.

Emmert, 46, could not be reached for comment.

Austin on Tuesday said "I wish him well in his efforts, although I would not be completely forthcoming if I didn't say that, selfishly, I would rather he remain in Storrs."

Richard Veilleux