Coastal Carolina University Board of Trustees Chairman Charles Hodge has announced that Maurice Scherrens has declined the offer for the position of president of Coastal Carolina University.

Scherrens, who is senior vice president of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., cited personal reasons for declining the offer, which was finalized yesterday. University officials plan to call a special meeting of the board of trustees on Saturday, Feb. 10 to determine the next course of action in the search for the university's next president.

The written offer was presented to Scherrens Tuesday afternoon following meetings of the S.C. Budget and Control Board and the Coastal Educational Foundation, in which the final elements of the salary package were approved.

"We regret that Dr. Scherrens has decided to decline the presidency of Coastal Carolina University," said Hodge. "As we renew the search process, the board of trustees is committed to the task of finding the right individual to lead Coastal in the coming years."

Scherrens stated, "I have been totally impressed with everything associated with CCU and the surrounding region. . . . The environment of unified support speaks volumes for the leadership of President Ron Ingle."

The search process began in early 2006 to identify a successor for Ronald R. Ingle, who will retire June 30, 2007, following a nearly 14-year tenure as president. A 12-person advisory committee began work in May to review applications for the position. The board of trustees considered five finalists prior to offering the position to Scherrens.