College president resigns, will take another job
BISMARCK, N.D. - Sharon Hart is resigning Friday as president of the North Dakota State College of Science, almost a month after the school's faculty denounced her leadership.
She is taking another job as a technical education administrator.
The Board of Higher Education voted 5-1 on Wednesday to approve the settlement, which calls for Hart to replace Eddie Dunn as director of the College Technical Education Council.
Dunn was named chancellor of the state university system last month.
Board member Bruce Christianson opposed the agreement, saying he did not like its provisions for lump-sum salary and benefit payments to Hart.
John Richman, the college's vice president for academic and student affairs, was appointed interim president of the two-year school, which is located in Wahpeton.
John Q. Paulsen, the Board of Higher Education's president, said Hart's background in community college and vocational administration made her well suited to her new position.
" I believe she has done many good things at the State College of Science. She has had to make many difficult decisions," Paulsen said. "I'm happy we've been able to work out a reassignment."
Under the proposed settlement, Hart will remain as CTEC director until June 30.
Hart has been under fire in recent months for her management style, and her decision to give promotions and raises to a handful of College of Science administrators. In August, faculty members voted 95-1 to approve a motion of no confidence in her leadership.
Some College of Science alumni have said Hart has hampered their attempts to raise private funds to benefit the school. They circulated a petition asking that she resign.
Hart has said the promotions and raises were justified, and within her discretion. The assets of the college's private foundation have grown more than 20 percent during her tenure as president, Hart said.
Hart has been president of the College of Science since July 1, 1990, when she succeeded Jerry Olson, who had been the Wahpeton college's president for 13 years.
She was the first woman president of the State College of Science in its history. Hart had served as president of Middlesex (Conn.) Community College before moving to North Dakota, and was hired in part because of her background in administration and technical education.
Hart's departure leaves three vacancies among the top jobs in North Dakota's university system.
Searches are already under way for new presidents for Bismarck State College and Mayville State University, along with a search for a new chancellor. Dunn intends to leave the job June 30.