(ROLLA, Mo., AP) — A committee leading the search for a new president of the University of Missouri system troubled by racial unrest says candidates must have “a deft command” of communications and public relations.

The committee approved a list of qualifications for the successor to Tim Wolfe during a meeting Thursday in Rolla of the four-campus system’s governing board of curators, the Columbia Daily Tribune (http://bit.ly/1Vu2AgH ) reported. The list will form the basis of recruiting materials for candidates by consultant Isaacson Miller Inc.

With hopes of filling the vacancy by the end of the year, “everyone feels it is important to finish as expeditiously as we can,” curator Maurice Graham said after the committee meeting.

“What is most important is the result,” Graham added. “That trumps the timing.”

Wolfe resigned in November, along with the Columbia campus’ chancellor, amid protests spurred by what activists said was administrators’ indifference to racial issues on campus.

Mike Middleton, the system’s interim president, repeatedly has said he does not want the job permanently.

The 12-point list of qualifications approved Thursday also requires candidates for the system’s presidency to have an acumen to handle political and business relationships, as well as the business judgment to run a large organization.

The search comes at a time when there already are three vacancies on the governing board, with two more to become vacant Jan. 1. A new governor also will be elected in November.

___

Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com