Finding a replacement for outgoing West Virginia University President Mike Garrison, that's the focus of a meeting Monday of WVU Faculty Senate leaders.

Garrison is stepping down September 1 over a master's degree scandal involving the governor's daughter.

Senate Chairwoman Virginia Kleist says now is the time for the Executive Committee to develop procedures for communicating with the Board of Governors. The board was widely accused of cronyism for hiring Garrison, a lawyer with thin academic credentials but ample political connections.

Kleist says she had a positive meeting last week with board Chairman Steve Goodwin.

Choosing a new president is a top priority, and Kleist didn't want the faculty to wait all summer to begin work.

Kleist says WVU appears to be getting back on track with the board appointment of former Massachusetts Institute of Technology president Charles Vest. She says Vest can help not only with the search process, but also in attracting funding for research projects.