LARAMIE - University of Wyoming President Philip L. Dubois declined Friday to confirm or deny published reports that he is being considered for the post of chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

"I have no idea whether I am being considered," Dubois said. "Any comment I make would complicate the confidentiality of the search."

The UW student newspaper, the Branding Iron, said Dubois may be offered the position, succeeding Chancellor Jim Woodward, who plans to retire this summer. Dubois was provost, or vice chancellor for academic affairs, at UNC-Charlotte before coming to Wyoming in 1997.

The Branding Iron story, based in part on reporting by the Charlotte, N.C., Observer, said a search committee is expected to name three finalists for the position by March 18. According to the Observer and the UNC-Charlotte Web site, Woodward will retire in June, and the term of a new chancellor would begin July 1.

Dubois told the Branding Iron that he was contacted about the position last fall. The student paper quoted him as saying, "When people present opportunities to you, you make an assessment of whether you would be interested or not." He did not say whether he would be.

Dubois's contract with the university was extended through 2008 by the trustees last June. He received a pay increase in September, taking his base salary to $230,000 per year. He also receives a housing allowance and a performance bonus, among other extras, that boost his total compensation significantly higher than the base salary.

Dubois is already the third-longest-serving president in the university's history. Arthur Griswold Crane served from 1922 to 1941 and George Duke Humphrey from 1945 to 1964, a total of 19 years for each.

At UNC-Charlotte, he was a professor of political science as well as assuming administrative duties for 6 1/2 years. The post of chancellor at UNC-Charlotte is equivalent to president at Wyoming.

The UNC-Charlotte Web site said the university is looking for a candidate of "personal and professional integrity, high energy, commitment and passion for the role, a forthright and proactive demeanor, intelligence and curiosity, and successful senior-level administrative experience."

UNC-Charlotte has an enrollment of nearly 20,000 students, compared with about 13,000 at Wyoming. It is the largest of the 16 institutions in the University of North Carolina system.

Its seven colleges offer more than 80 bachelor's degree programs, more than 58 master's degree program and 12 doctoral programs.

Star-Tribune correspondent W. Dale Nelson can be reached at wdnelson@bresnan.net.