The Legislature Strikes Back

[The Sicatoka]

Many of us have long suspected that there are forces {cough-Al Carlson-cough-cough} in the Legislature looking to eliminate the ND SBoHE and put control of the NDUS more directly under the Legislature, thus making the University System a political pawn.

Well, you've been waiting for it and now it's here:

... an amendment was introduced by Rep. Rick Becker to shut down the Board of Higher Education and put the administration of the North Dakota University System under a statewide elected official. ...

The “higher education commissioner,” as the office is called in the amendment, would be empowered to hire and fire university presidents and perform all administrative duties necessary to run the universities. But here’s the thing, the higher education commissioner would be subject to statute.

That means the legislature is the boss. No more independent university system.

http://sayanythingbl...gher-education/

Also from that same article:

No more university presidents thumbing their noses at our lawmakers, ...

I wonder who the author was thinking about when they wrote that ...

[darell1976]

Al Carlson is crushing this state very slowly. First he thinks he can take on the NCAA (fail), then he wants to cap how much money this state can receive from the oil companies (ultimate fail), then telling Fargo no more than 325 million for flood control but nothing for buyouts and a diversion (thanks dickhead), now eliminate the SBoHE. Please get this @ss clown out of Bismarck.

[andtheHomeoftheSIOUX!!]

I support this move. The current structure of the SBoHE does not work and needs to be changed/eliminated.

[darell1976]

I support this move. The current structure of the SBoHE does not work and needs to be changed/eliminated.

So that way the education system will be in the hands of people like Al Carlson? No thanks!!

[siouxforeverbaby]

As much as I agree that the current system needs work, I don't think that getting rid of the SBoHE will work. I don't really have a solution, but we should explore all options...I feel as if this is just going straight to the opposite side of the spectrum.

[watchmaker49]

How do they plan to get around the state constitution without a vote by the public?

[andtheHomeoftheSIOUX!!]

How do they plan to get around the state constitution without a vote by the public?

It would go to a vote of the people.

[watchmaker49]

It would go to a vote of the people.

That would be interesting. How would it be sold by pros and cons?

[andtheHomeoftheSIOUX!!]

That would be interesting. How would it be sold by pros and cons?

Well I suppose pros are that the individual colleges get to stay in the constitution, so there would be no closings, the people would have more of a say in how the higher ed board is ran, and the board would be more accountable to the people through the legislature. The cons would be that the board would lose some of it independence from political stuff and its a change of the status quo plus the colleges stay in constitution.

I believe it would be a good change. The current status quo is broken. I think putting more of the power in control of the people through a direct election of the higher ed chancellor/president is a good thing because ultimately the schools are for the people and the people pay for the schools. I also like that there will be more accountability to the people this way through both the direct election of the chancellor/president and through the increased influence of the legislature, who represent the people. I also like that whole thing would fully fall under state statutes.

I think it would be an improvement over the current set up.

[andtheHomeoftheSIOUX!!]

And to clarify what I said earlier, I believe that both the senate and house would have to pass it and then it would have to get the A OK from the people.

[southpaw]

Well I suppose pros are that the individual colleges get to stay in the constitution, so there would be no closings, the people would have more of a say in how the higher ed board is ran, and the board would be more accountable to the people through the legislature. The cons would be that the board would lose some of it independence from political stuff and its a change of the status quo plus the colleges stay in constitution.

I believe it would be a good change. The current status quo is broken. I think putting more of the power in control of the people through a direct election of the higher ed chancellor/president is a good thing because ultimately the schools are for the people and the people pay for the schools. I also like that there will be more accountability to the people this way through both the direct election of the chancellor/president and through the increased influence of the legislature, who represent the people. I also like that whole thing would fully fall under state statutes.

I think it would be an improvement over the current set up.

What happens if whomever is elected goes all Al Carlson and starts doing crazy stuff because they are power hungry? That position could make universities gravel for money.

[jdub27]

Well I suppose pros are that the individual colleges get to stay in the constitution, so there would be no closings, the people would have more of a say in how the higher ed board is ran, and the board would be more accountable to the people through the legislature. The cons would be that the board would lose some of it independence from political stuff and its a change of the status quo plus the colleges stay in constitution.

This may be sold as a pro to people in those smaller communities, but this is something that needs to be looked at.

[Let'sGoHawks!]

Interesting Shirvani news:

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/257629/

[ScottM]

Al Carlson is crushing this state very slowly. First he thinks he can take on the NCAA (fail), then he wants to cap how much money this state can receive from the oil companies (ultimate fail), then telling Fargo no more than 325 million for flood control but nothing for buyouts and a diversion (thanks dickhead), now eliminate the SBoHE. Please get this @ss clown out of Bismarck.

His constituents should be ashamed of themselves.

[iramurphy]

Interesting Shirvani news:

http://www.grandfork...icle/id/257629/

I am impressed the Senate had the guts to correct the mistake they made the day before. In case people are not aware, Shirvani was forced to resign as Dean of the Denver School of Architecture at U of Colorado before he became president of the U of California Stanislaus. The reasons included a large number of faculty who quit during his tenure due to his abusive manner. The school was placed on probation by their accrediting agency due to the unrest between faculty and administration. While President at UCS the faculty voted by over 90% no confidence citing his abusive style. I did not find details of his harassment lawsuit but it was settled out of court. I would not be surprised if that was also for harassing employees. The employee was given $10,000 a years severence and a positive evaluation when she left. Former employees at UCS were contacted by employees of the office of the chancellor shortly after he arrived here to get their take on him. They substantiated the claims of his abusive behvior and style. Shortly after arriving in Bismarck he began his similar style leading to multiple resignations of staff including the CFO and long time board attorney. His rift with the attorney, who former UND VP Beiswanger referred to as a dedicated and excellent legal advisor to higher ed over the years, began immediately after the attorney counsled Shirvani that holding unnannounced secret meetings of the board violated the state open meeting law. Shirvani lost his temper and insisted he had the authority to call such a meeting. When other employees confirmed the attorney was correct he got upset with them as well. When Shirvani went to Espegard to let him know he wanted other legal council, Espegard threw the attorney, who was a former NDSU and UND student under the bus. The problems of Shirvani and the very mediocore chancellors after Potts are the reult of poor selections and oversight by Espegard and other board members. I applaud the Senate for trying to get rid of this guy but I would fire him rather than buy him out. I applaud the college students of the state for their vote of no confidence as well. Shirvani needs to go and any legislator or board member who continues to support him despite overwhelming evidence this is a pattern of abusive behavior needs to consider if they have the judgement to serve the public.

[UNDBIZ]

I am impressed the Senate had the guts to correct the mistake they made the day before. In case people are not aware, Shirvani was forced to resign as Dean of the Denver School of Architecture at U of Colorado before he became president of the U of California Stanislaus. The reasons included a large number of faculty who quit during his tenure due to his abusive manner. The school was placed on probation by their accrediting agency due to the unrest between faculty and administration. While President at UCS the faculty voted by over 90% no confidence citing his abusive style. I did not find details of his harassment lawsuit but it was settled out of court. I would not be surprised if that was also for harassing employees. The employee was given $10,000 a years severence and a positive evaluation when she left. Former employees at UCS were contacted by employees of the office of the chancellor shortly after he arrived here to get their take on him. They substantiated the claims of his abusive behvior and style. Shortly after arriving in Bismarck he began his similar style leading to multiple resignations of staff including the CFO and long time board attorney. His rift with the attorney, who former UND VP Beiswanger referred to as a dedicated and excellent legal advisor to higher ed over the years, began immediately after the attorney counsled Shirvani that holding unnannounced secret meetings of the board violated the state open meeting law. Shirvani lost his temper and insisted he had the authority to call such a meeting. When other employees confirmed the attorney was correct he got upset with them as well. When Shirvani went to Espegard to let him know he wanted other legal council, Espegard threw the attorney, who was a former NDSU and UND student under the bus. The problems of Shirvani and the very mediocore chancellors after Potts are the reult of poor selections and oversight by Espegard and other board members. I applaud the Senate for trying to get rid of this guy but I would fire him rather than buy him out. I applaud the college students of the state for their vote of no confidence as well. Shirvani needs to go and any legislator or board member who continues to support him despite overwhelming evidence this is a pattern of abusive behavior needs to consider if they have the judgement to serve the public.

The university system office doesn't have a CFO, they have a "vice chancellor for administrative affairs" who oversees the finance side of the office and she is still employed there.

http://ndus.edu/system/staff/

[iramurphy]

The university system office doesn't have a CFO, they have a "vice chancellor for administrative affairs" who oversees the finance side of the office and she is still employed there.

http://ndus.edu/system/staff/

You are correct and I was too lazy to look up the title so I apologize. It was the financial aid director, Nathan Stratton. He wasn't going to put up with the abuse. Were I a journalist, I would tally up how many of the previous staff have resigned and ask them why. I would also wonder why Shirvani needs an Executive Asst and a Special Asst. I would also ask Shirvani directly about his relationship to his asst. and whether or not there is an investigation into that relationship or not. Lots of rumors around the state offices concerning him. Embarassing to see Espegard and the legislator from Tioga castigate our students for wanting the position of chancellor to be one of integrity and trust. The students need to keep pressing this. Also a jounalist should question the Fargo legislator who Shirvani reportedly called a "liar". He also refused to answer a legislators question during a committee hearing. He simply refused.

The lack or oversite and leadership by the SBoHE and the mismangement of the Chapman, Dickinson State and Shirvani scandals could very well be the impetus Carlson uses to destroy the SBoHE as we know it. I would be curious to know what will it take for some to realize we made a mistake and get rid of this guy.

[siouxjoy]

_{Another idea...}

_{http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/257777/}

Why the ag commissioner?

[watchmaker49]

_{Another idea...}

_{http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/257777/}

Why the ag commissioner?

With some of the nut jobs in Bismarck education in ND would not be safe. Example the grant issue at NDSU.

[ScottM]

_{Another idea...}

_{http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/257777/}

Why the ag commissioner?

The Ag Commissioner is probably seen as more likely to be a proxy of the legislature than an AG or Secretary of State. I'm amazed that the legislature seems so insecure that it feels the need to keep picking at the state constitution.

[watchmaker49]

The Ag Commissioner is probably seen as more likely to be a proxy of the legislature than an AG or Secretary of State. I'm amazed that the legislature seems so insecure that it feels the need to keep picking at the state constitution.

You expect more from someone with an R behind their name? Look at the attacks on the US Constitution the TeaNuts have been waging.

[mg2009]

i had some fun bureaucratic games with the graduate school a couple years ago, and i was contacted by some of 'those people' who wanted to use me as part of their campaign to undermine the sbohe. I told them to get bent ofc.

[jimdahl]

UND Student Senate passes vote of no confidence of Shirvani

[Cratter]

Six former ND college presidents wrote the board of higher education stating Shirvani should be fired. Man no one trusts this a**hole.

[iramurphy]

It is pretty clear the lack of intelligence and lack of courage by Espegard as SBoHE president and his support for Shirvani will continue to handicap higher education in North Dakota. It is no surprise that Shirvani's hand picked legal counsel did not address the most serious allegations against Shirvani, his bullying, arrogant and dishonest manner in which he treats his subordinate staff and also how he deals with anyone who questions him. For his legal counsel to claim that all employees of the SBoHE should always be willing to report any vioaltions of policy or law with no fear of their jobs is contrary to what happened to the former legal counsel when he advised against the dinner meetings with an agenda mentioned on the invitations that Shrivani intended to discuss policy and his plans. As a member of my local school board for over 16 years we attend workshops at least twice yearly and among other subjects covered the open meeting laws are reviewed regulary. It is a clear violation of the law to hold a meeting with a quorum to discuss plans and policy. The board may do so by posting public notice of the meeting. The board's former legal counsel tried to advise Shirvani of that fact and backed up his legal opinion with one from the Attorney General's office. That is what the legal counsel is supposed to do and was shortly thereafter forced out. To claim lesser employees have nothing to fear is laughable. If Espegard will throw the former legal counsel (who was respected by his collegues, peers, and college administrators, a N. Dak. native, who had served the board for 20 years and also a Viet nam era vet) under the bus then I don't think anyone in that office is safe. Had Espegard supported the former legal counsel and heeded his advice, this would not be an issue.

What hasn't been reported nor addressed are allegations that Shirvani called Representative Harken "a liar" and refused to answer questions she posed at a committee hearing last August. It is true though that Shirvani isn't the one breaking the law, it is the board under Espegard violating the open meeting law.

It seems clear that the N. Dak. student assn, and the student board member are showing better judgement as they called for a no confidence vote and support this jerk stepping down. For legislators, Loyd Omdahl and Espegard to criticize those students is uncalled for. They are supporting a Chancellor who wsa removed from his job as Dean of the Denver School of Architecture at the U of Colorado for simialr problems with subordinate staff and faculty. He was given a 90% vote of no confidence at his last job. Espegard has other board members show a clear lack of judgement in hiring someone with so much baggage and a clear lack of courage by not dealing with his inapproriate manner and behavior. This problem will not go away until this guy climbs back in his Porche and heads back to California. The credibility of the SBoHE has been lacking since the Chapman fiasco and the Dickinson State scandal. Shirvani seems to have arranged the board to give him the authority to fire our college presidents on short notice. We will not attract and retain quality people if they have to work under the type of administative dictatorship this guy believes in. He has established a behavior pattern inconsistent with good leadership and one that places barriers to productive dialogue and discussion to solve the important issues of Higher Education. Lastly, I believe it was one of the Grafton HS administrators who complained that his plan for Higher Ed didn't involve our states k-12 leaders. That is an egregious error.