Adam W. Herbert, the former chancellor of Florida's public-university system who resigned in 2001 just before the state Legislature eliminated his position, was named the new president of the Indiana University System on Thursday.

Mr. Herbert, who begins his job August 1, will be the first black president in the university system's history. He replaces Myles Brand, who left last year to become president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

In brief comments at a meeting of the university's Board of Trustees, Mr. Herbert reminded faculty members that he is "of the professoriate" at the University of North Florida, where he served as president for nearly 10 years and is now a professor and executive director of the Florida Center for Public Policy and Leadership.

As Indiana president, Mr. Herbert said that he would be "sensitive" to the "philosophy of shared governance" and to the "centrality" of teaching and research. He added that the university "must engage in research that not only advances human knowledge, but better informs public policy and fosters economic growth."

Under the terms of his five-year agreement, Mr. Herbert will be paid an annual salary of $335,000, which includes $280,000 from university funds and $55,000 from the university's foundation. He will also receive $70,000 annually in deferred compensation, as well as a house and a car. Mr. Herbert's wife, Karen Herbert, will also work in some capacity for the university and receive an annual salary of $60,000.

In Florida, throughout his three years as chancellor, Mr. Herbert was frequently forced to navigate the university system through controversy and upheaval. Shortly after Mr. Herbert was chosen for the job, the president of the University of Florida at the time, John V. Lombardi, described him to colleagues as an "Oreo," meaning a black person who acts like a white person, igniting a firestorm of controversy. Several members of the state's Board of Regents wanted Mr. Herbert to fire Mr. Lombardi, but instead Mr. Herbert let the incident pass after Mr. Lombardi, who is now president of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, apologized.

But several other issues dogged Mr. Herbert, including what he saw as efforts by state lawmakers to overrule his decisions. The Legislature, for instance, created an expensive medical college at Florida State University, and law schools at Florida A&M University and Florida International University, over Mr. Herbert's strong objections.

Mr. Herbert was also responsible for helping to shepherd Gov. Jeb Bush's divisive plan to end the use of race in university admissions.