The State Board of Higher Education voted unanimously on Tuesday to add an American Indian to the committee that will help select the next president of the University of North Dakota.

On the recommendation of Board President John Q. Paulsen, they chose Cynthia Lindquist Mala, president of Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten.

Chancellor Bill Goetz praised Mala, a UND graduate who was director of the state Indian Affairs Commission under Gov. Ed Schaefer, as somebody who would add a valuable perspective to the committee. He said her addition will give American Indians a feeling that they're adequately represented in the process

The debate over whether the selection committee should include an American Indian member began in June. Selected in late May, the original 16-member committee lacked American Indian representation. It is charged with reviewing applications from potential replacements for outgoing UND president Charles Kupchella.

Paulsen, who favored a small committee, originally defended his decision. After a few weeks of thought and a phone call from Gov. John Hoeven, he relented and called for today's meeting.

"As I thought about it I realized I simply did not give adequate consideration to the rich and longstanding importance of the American Indian constituency to the University of North Dakota. It's simple as that," he said.

Board member Duaine Espegard, a Grand Forks businessman, said his main concern was the continued growth of the selection committee into an inefficient size. He offered to resign his place on the committee to make room for Mala, but withdrew the motion after Paulsen assured him that no more members would be added.

With Mala's addition, the committee includes 17 members.

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@bismarcktribune.com)