The University of Hawaii has apparently reached an agreement in principle with Parker Executive Search of Atlanta to assist in its selection of a new athletic director.

Under terms of the agreement, the firm, which was not immediately named by UH, is to receive a $60,000 fee "plus out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed 12 percent of the fee," according to Diane Chang, spokeswoman for the UH-Manoa Chancellor’s office, which is overseeing the process.

On its website, Parker claims experience in hiring more than 50 ADs.

Chang said the identity of the firm will be announced "as soon as the contract with the search firm is executed." Approval of the search firm has been held up for more than a month by the procurement process, UH said, and the contract is still to be executed.

UH has said it hopes to have the costs underwritten by donations.

"The subcommittee tasked with raising funds to pay the fee is expected to update the entire committee at its next meeting," Chang said.

So far UH said more than 100 applications have been received for the position and "the initial vetting of the applications will be done by the search firm," Chang said.

UH vice president Rockne Freitas has served as acting AD since July 11, when Jim Donovan was removed and later reassigned.

UH used a search firm, Chicago-based DHR International, on a more limited basis during the hiring of football coach Norm Chow and women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman. DHR was primarily involved in vetting candidates, UH said. According to information obtained through the state’s open record law, UH paid DHR $11,200 for its part in the football search and $5,600 for the women’s basketball search.