The University of California Board of Regents is expected to select a new president tomorrow for the 200,000-student, nine-campus system to replace Richard C. Atkinson, who is retiring this fall.

Over the past seven months, a nine-person search committee of regents, alumni and student representatives has culled a list of more than 200 nominations down to one recommended candidate. The regents are scheduled to talk with the candidate in a closed meeting tomorrow before voting to make the selection final.

Although officials have not released the identity of the finalist, several internal candidates were reported to be on the original list, including chancellors Robert C. Dynes of UC San Diego, M.R.C. "Marcie" Greenwood of UC Santa Cruz, Albert Carnesale of UCLA and Henry T. Yang of UC Santa Barbara.

Also rumored to be on the list was Bruce B. Darling, who as interim vice president for laboratory management has overseen much of the investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

All of the last six UC presidents either served earlier as a campus chancellor or high-ranking UC administrator.

Internal candidates may have an advantage because they understand the complex relationship between university leaders and the state Legislature, said Barbara Sawrey, a UCSD chemistry professor and chair of a UC faculty admissions review board.

Yesterday, however, Regent Tom Sayles said he would not necessarily favor an internal candidate. He cited experience managing large institutions and addressing crises as being more important criteria.

Among the challenges facing the new president are cuts in state funding, providing access to the UC schools for a growing number of graduating high school seniors in the state, and a decision on whether to bid for the Los Alamos National Laboratory contract when it expires in 2005.

Atkinson, who served as UC San Diego chancellor for 15 years before he became UC president in 1995, will retire Oct. 1.