Board of Higher Ed Shows Support For Chancellor | Video

Kristin Clouston | 3/21/2013

Just one week after Chancellor Ham Shirvani and Higher Ed board members were cleared of violating open meeting laws, the board held another special meeting. This time it was to follow up on proper meeting procedures, appoint a board to review the Chancellor`s performance and discuss a resolution.

The Board of Higher Education has given its formal support to Chancellor Ham Shirvani. The board passed a resolution that states its support but still acknowledges the issues brought forth against the Chancellor by students, including a vote of no confidence and student support of a contract buyout. Board members say they felt the resolution was necessary to bring closure to past events and move forward.

Vice President Kirsten Diederich explained, "It became apparent maybe we needed a stronger endorsement of what direction the board is moving and to also allow the staff within the system office to know that they should be moving forward."

But even though the resolution states "the SBHE endorses and gives its full support to the Chancellor,” three of the board members voted against it.

Kari Reichert shared, "My concern is it`s a bit of an over simplification. To simply say as Terry said, I endorse what happens in the past and I`m going to endorse what comes 100 percent is not comfortable. I`m not willing to be that simplistic."

Reichert says their main issue is communication.

"Certainly as a board we can do better communicating with legislators and from the Chancellor`s standpoint, I`m sure he can do better as well. I would like to hear from the students. You know, they adopted a resolution but I`ve only had an opportunity to speak to one or two. So that`s partly on me, partly on them."

The board plans to discuss communications issues at its June retreat, but may schedule a special meeting to do so at an earlier date. The board will have the Chancellor`s review completed by early June. You can find the resolution on university system`s web page: www.ndus.nodak.edu/board. It`s attached to the March 21 board meeting agenda.

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