BATON ROUGE - Three days before its system board planned to choose a new chancellor for Southern University New Orleans, a vote has been delayed so the board can seek more candidates.

System President-Chancellor Ray Belton did not immediately give a reason for Tuesday's decision. NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune reports at an Oct. 13 advisory committee meeting, Belton expressed concern that there were only two finalists to consider.

Belton said in a statement that Lisa Mims-Devezin will remain interim chancellor as the search is extended. She and higher education consultant Boyce Williams were named finalists to replace Victor Ukpolo, who resigned in June.

System spokeswoman Robyn Merrick says along with canceling the board's planned Friday vote, the decision cancels the finalists' campus visits Thursday.

Officials have not yet announced a new search timeline.