Holden Thorp, dean of the university's College of Arts and Sciences, said this week he had interviewed for the position. Thorp is a North Carolina native, UNC alumnus and professor for the past 15 years in the chemistry department.

The campus search committee has finished its work and has forwarded a list of names to UNC system President Erskine Bowles, who may take his choice to the UNC Board of Governors next week for final approval.

Meanwhile, former UNC Board of Governors member Andrew Payne's Web site disclosed the identity of two men he called finalists for the job. The site, www.universitylotto.com, said two on the short list are Phillip Clay, a UNC-CH trustee and chancellor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Michael Smith, vice chancellor for public service and engagement and dean of UNC-CH's School of Government.

Neither Clay nor Smith returned phone calls. Both men are UNC-CH alumni.