FARGO, N.D. —The state Board of Higher Education met behind closed doors for more than two hours Wednesday before deciding that the North Dakota State University president should keep his job.
The board voted during its regular monthly meeting in Bismarck to renew Dean Bresciani’s contract for another year, six months after the board told him he needed to improve his communication, teamwork and decision-making skills. Don Morton, of Fargo, was the only board member to vote against extending the contract.
The action caps a tumultuous 15 months for Bresciani in which he rankled some board members over whether the university should focus on increasing enrollment or boosting graduation rates to meet workforce demands; raised eyebrows by flying business class on a recruiting trip to Indiana; and was investigated for his handling of a controversial plan on media guidelines for athletics. The Board of Higher Education had put on hold its decision on Bresciani’s contract in June.
Alumni and other school boosters have come to Bresciani’s defense, some of whom took out a half-page advertisement in a Fargo newspaper shortly after the board put his contract on hold. An editorial Monday in the NDSU student newspaper urged the board to extend the president’s contract, saying Bresciani’s “experience and leverage” trumps his baggage.
Kathleen Neset, the board chair, on Wednesday credited fellow members for their review of a “serious and substantial issue” involving Bresciani’s performance.
“We talked a little bit about the number of emails and phone calls and interactions we have,” Neset said. “I want to thank all of detractors and the supporters of Dr. Bresciani. We have heard extensively from them.”
Morton didn’t give a reason for voting against Bresciani, but said that there was “no undue pressure” placed on board members.
