Faculty leaders at the Colorado State University System publicly rebuked the Board of Governors’ decision to run an internal‑only search for the next system chancellor, citing conflicts of interest and a compressed timetable. The CSU Faculty Council and the local AAUP chapter criticized the six‑week application window and raised concerns that outgoing Chancellor Tony Frank’s involvement compromised impartiality. Professors and governance representatives argued an internal search “limits our ability to identify the best candidate” and fosters the perception that the slate was predetermined. Faculty warned that rushed internal searches can damage shared governance and morale across a multi‑campus system. Board members have defended the decision as a pragmatic approach that prioritizes continuity; faculty leaders say the dispute will shape trustee‑faculty relations and could influence recruitment outcomes for the system’s top post.