Nostaja Withdraws from UB Interim Presidency BUFFALO (wned) - Scott Nostaja, a top administrator at the University at Buffalo and confidante to retiring UB President John Simpson, e-mailed the University community this afternoon to say he's withdrawing his name from consideration for the post of "interim" president.

The recent announcement that he was being recommended brought a firestorm of reaction because of his lack of academic credentials, for maintains his home in California, and because there was no input from the University community.

Noting that lack of input, Nostaja indicated he was removing his name so that such a dialogue could take place.

"I recognize that some members of the University would like to have given their views as this recommendation was being considered," Nostaja wrote in an e-mail.

"I have asked that my name not be put forward to the Board of Trustees at this time in order to give our faculty, staff and students the opportunity to provide input into the priorities facing the university, and the qualities, characteristics, qualifications and experiences necessary to fill the post of interim president.

Our campus needs to focus on attracting and selecting the best possible candidates to serve as our 15th President."

Nostaja was named interim president when Simpson recently announced his pending retirement, effective January.

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