(1) (a) The board, upon approval from the governor and with the consent of the Senate for each appointee nominated on or after May 8, 2012, shall appoint a commissioner of higher education to serve at its pleasure as its chief executive officer. (b) The commissioner may be terminated by: (i) the board; or (ii) the governor, after consultation with the board. (c) The board shall: (i) set the salary of the commissioner; (ii) prescribe the duties and functions of the commissioner; and (iii) select a commissioner on the basis of outstanding professional qualifications.

(a) The board, upon approval from the governor and with the consent of the Senate for each appointee nominated on or after May 8, 2012, shall appoint a commissioner of higher education to serve at its pleasure as its chief executive officer.

(b) The commissioner may be terminated by: (i) the board; or (ii) the governor, after consultation with the board.

(i) the board; or

(ii) the governor, after consultation with the board.

(c) The board shall: (i) set the salary of the commissioner; (ii) prescribe the duties and functions of the commissioner; and (iii) select a commissioner on the basis of outstanding professional qualifications.

(i) set the salary of the commissioner;

(ii) prescribe the duties and functions of the commissioner; and

(iii) select a commissioner on the basis of outstanding professional qualifications.

(2) The commissioner is responsible to the board to: (a) ensure that the policies and programs of the board are properly executed; (b) furnish information about the state system of higher education and make recommendations regarding that information to the board; (c) provide state-level leadership in any activity affecting an institution in the state system of higher education; and (d) perform other duties assigned by the board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.

(a) ensure that the policies and programs of the board are properly executed;

(b) furnish information about the state system of higher education and make recommendations regarding that information to the board;

(c) provide state-level leadership in any activity affecting an institution in the state system of higher education; and

(d) perform other duties assigned by the board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.