The regents of the university shall elect a president of the university, who shall be an employee-at-will pursuant to section 24-19-104, C.R.S., and whose employment shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by article 19 of title 24, C.R.S. The president shall be the principal executive officer of the university and a member of the faculty thereof and shall carry out the policies and programs established by the board of regents.