The search for the next University of Iowa provost will remain confidential until the final candidates visit campus, said UI spokesman Tom Moore.

The search committee formally met for the first time Thursday after being appointed about two weeks ago.

The committee doesn’t fall under Iowa’s open-meeting laws, Moore said.

But university and community members will have the opportunity to see the candidates at open public events when candidates visit campus.

Former Provost Wallace Loh is serving as president at the University of Maryland; Barry Butler has replaced him on an interim basis.

— by Alison Sullivan