BISMARCK N.D.
North Dakota’s state Board of Higher Education is taking a look at the contracts of college and university presidents, with changes proposed in termination policies and foundation contributions.
The issue has come into focus as the board seeks new presidents for the University of North Dakota, Dickinson State and Lake Region State College.
Changes proposed by a committee of the higher education board would better protect the public interest if a president resigns or is fired, said John Q. Paulsen, a committee member and president of the board.
“We’ve had experience in recent years with presidents and chancellors who have left, and the system has been left with significant severance payments,” Paulsen said.
The university system paid former Chancellor Robert Potts and former North Dakota State College of Science President Sharon Hart more than $450,000 after they resigned last year.
Both had three-year rolling contracts that were automatically renewed after a year.
