HARRISBURG — The search for a new chancellor of Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities, including Slippery Rock University, has narrowed to three finalists, a State System of Higher Education spokesman said Monday.

The finalists are Jack Warner, commissioner of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education; Richard Wells, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh chancellor; and John Cavanaugh, president of the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Fla.

The system's board of governors will interview the candidates today and Wednesday, system spokesman Kenn Marshall said.

He did not know when the board would make a final decision.

A search committee has been looking for a new chief executive to replace Chancellor Judy Hample, who will take a new job in July as president of the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.