TECHNICIAN
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Raleigh, North Carolina
Oblinger out, Easley terminated CHANCELLOR RESIGNS, TRUSTEES END FORMER FIRST LADY’S CONTRACT AFTER RELEASE OF E-MAILS
T
he University’s troubles stemming from the 2005 hiring of then-first lady Mary Easley continued this week as the University released documents that tied Chancellor James Oblinger to Easley’s hiring. Chancellor resigns The controversy surrounding Mary Easley claimed another top University position Monday, as UNC President Erskine Bowles accepted the resignation of former Chancellor James Oblinger. Former Provost Larry Nielsen resigned May 22 because of the controversy linking him to her hire. “Jim Oblinger has shared with me his decision to resign as chancellor of North Carolina State University, effective immediately,” Bowles said in a memo he sent out to the UNC Board of Governors. “I have accepted that decision with considerable sadness, but agree fully with Jim’s conclusion that it would be in the best interest of N.C. State and the entire University for him to step down as chancellor and return to the faculty.” In his memo, Bowles said that Oblinger will be granted a sixmonth leave at his current salary before returning to the faculty as a professor of food science.
Oblinger’s resignation came the same day that e-mails linking him to the Easley hire were released to the public. Oblinger said in a press conference this May that he could not recall having had conversations with McQueen Campbell about the hiring of Easley. Oblinger said in a written statement released on the University’s Web site that he chose to resign “because that is what leaders do when the institutions they lead come under distracting and undue public scrutiny.” He also said he hoped his resignation would serve as an example to Easley. “The only reason I am announcing my resignation is that I am applying to myself the same standards I have asked Mrs. Easley to apply to herself: I am doing it because it is in the best interests of N.C. State University,” Oblinger said in the statement.
GOV. BEV PERDUE’S STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION
TWEETERS RESPOND:
“Today’s announcements are the appropriate steps to enable the University to keep its eye on the prize -- education, collaboration, discovery and leadership,” Perdue said in a statement. “Recent events have become a distraction from the core mission of N.C. State faculty, staff, and students. I’m confident in Chancellor Emeritus Woodward’s ability to lead the University on an interim basis and to maintain its focus on excellence in education and innovation.”
qntmfred: ncsu chancellor oblinger resigned today. can we somehow tie lee fowler to the mary easley scandal too?
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
BOT ends Easley’s contract Former first lady Mary Easley was fired from her post as executivein-residence Monday during an emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees. Board of Trustees members voted unanimously in favor of terminating Easley’s $170,000 contract. “I believe we now have to move forward. I think to do so we have got to do everything we can to bring sunlight to this issue. I have therefore fully supported the BOT recommendation that we terminate our relationship with Mrs. Easley,” Bowles said in a press conference following the meeting. Bowles said he did not know how much it would cost the University to terminate Easley’s contract and that no talks with her lawyer had been conducted. He said he saw the e-mails dealing with the hiring of Easley on Friday
while at N.C. State. “They were delivered to me on Friday afternoon. Those e-mails made me feel sick. I had believed the chancellor,” Bowles said. After the provost’s resignation, Oblinger said he did not remember the specifics surrounding the hiring of Easley. He continued to assert that until the e-mails were made public. Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Jordan said the media was “nitpicking,” especially since, in his opinion, there has been no criminal evidence surrounding the controversy. “Knowing what I know, I still don’t believe there was anything wrong in those e-mails,” Jordan said. “I haven’t seen anything except maybe somebody didn’t use good judgement [that was wrong],” Jordan said.
mammalpants: Breaking News: NCSU closes doors forever over Mary Easley scandal. Considers offering Corruption major. ginnyhuff: NO MORE OBLINGER!!! Now if only Fowler will resign too. woozypoo: NCSU chancellor resigned today...Thanks again Mike & Mary! jswh: Gotta believe Russell Wilson is next in line for Chancellor. Trustees should just make it happen (Right guys? Sports reference?......right?) Kyle_B_Judah: @NCSUTJ Sounds like some hectic business going on at NCSU! Went through a similar situation at UMass Amherst tubafrenzy: Wow, never thought Sidney Lowe would outlast Oblinger at NCSU. SwampMerchant: Oblinger resigns. Great job News and Observer and Andy Curliss! Our university system is a feather bed for the connected. Get real jobs! amandala: @nsj Yes, I’m an NCSU alum as well and I hope that today’s news will finally be the end to all the drama nsj: @bethanyvsmith No kidding. It’s sad for us alums -- and leaves me seeing red. Righteous indignation! bethanyvsmith: @nsj I wonder who will be next to leave at NCSU - or is there anyone left.... frontstack: @frijole it took the chancellor, provost and BoT chair resigning in order to get that bitch fired. i’m embarrassed to be agraduate of NCSU.
Nielsen package plot thickens
Ty Johnson Editor in chief
BRENT KITCHEN/TECHNICIAN
Interim Chancellor Jim Woodward meets with Student Body President Jim Ceresnak and Student Senate President Kelli Rogers on Wednesday. Woodward took over following James Oblinger’s resignation Monday.
Woodward settles in
Former professor takes interim role John Cooper Elias Senior staff writer
After serving as chancellor of UNC-Charlotte for 16 years, Jim Woodward said he had not intended to come out of retirement, let alone to become interim chancellor of N.C. State and fill the spot James Oblinger left vacant after he submitted his resignation Sunday. “I had no aspirations to have a full-time job again,” Woodward said in a phone interview before he left Charlotte Monday afternoon. “It was nice to have the freedom and flexibility of retirement. These are jobs that require full attention.” UNC System President Erskine Bowles said he was “ex-
tremely grateful” that Woodward accepted the appointment on short notice in a memo announcing the news Monday. At a press conference later in the day, he said Woodward would be given full control during the transition. “I have asked Jim Woodward to become chancellor on an interim basis. Not interim chancellor but chancellor, and be fully in charge on an interim basis,” Bowles said at the press conference. Woodward said Oblinger did a “superb” job while leading the University, and that his performance was why he felt comfortable stepping in for
Budget, chancellor search on agenda John Cooper Elias Senior staff writer
In his first official meeting with Student Body President Jim Ceresnak and Student Senate President Kelli Rogers, Interim Chancellor Jim Woodward spoke about the impending budget cuts and the immediate search for a new chancellor. Woodward said his focus will be to help guide the unprecedented cuts with as little disruption to the core of the University as possible. “We want to minimize the impact on the education of our students,” he said. “But, there are other missions for this institution. We have an extension service, a research program. We have other things we have to do, so you want to minimize the damage to all these core activities and
WOODWARD continued page 3
While you’re on campus, visit NC State Bookstores
BUDGET continued page 3
A severance package that allows former Provost Larry Nielsen to continue to earn his $298,700 yearly salary over the next six months while “he is preparing himself to resume his faculty responsibilities” has brought more scrutiny to Holladay Hall as the Board of Governors, Board of Trustees, and a State Representative are seeking to change the way these academic deals are struck. BOT chairman asks for review of Nielsen package Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Jordan has asked the University to review Nielsen’s contract due to public scrutiny of his severance package while the University is facing 18-percent budget cuts. The contract would continue to pay Nielsen at his provost salary while he is on study leave. Nielsen will teach one class beginning in January. “This type of transition package is widely used in academia,” Jordan said, “but these are extraordinary budgetary times. I am asking the chancellor to review the contract to ensure compliance with university policies, rules and regulations.” Oblinger sweetened deal before Nielsen’s resignation went into effect The University hastily called an emergency Board of Trustees conference call in Holladay Hall Sunday
insidetechnician
night, where the Board approved the release of personal documents in relation to the hiring and resignation of former provost Larry Nielsen. The documents released were two letters addressed to Nielsen from former Chancellor James Oblinger. The letters showed Nielsen’s original severance package and how it was altered before his resignation in late May. 13, 2009 outlining “the transition of your salary in accordance with the terms of your initial appointment as provost” and a letter from Oblinger to Nielsen dated June 22, 2005 informing Nielsen he had been selected as permanent provost. Oblinger told the News & Observer last week Nielsen would receive his provost salary until Nov. before it was reduced to that of a tenured professor. The documents show the package will actually step down Nielsen’s salary over the next three years. Interim Provost Warwick Arden could not be reached for comment. Arden is in Australia until June 18. N.C. Republican House leader aims to strike down “golden parachutes” Rep. Paul Stam has drafted an amendment to Senate Bill 202 which would end what has become referred to as “golden parachutes” for high-ranking officials who resign from their posts. A statement released Tuesday said the recent publicity of universities giving outgoing officials hefty severance packages is irresponsible as budget cuts threaten education. “Recent revelations of pay retention for NCSU Provost Larry Nielson and now for Chancellor James Oblinger cannot stand as historically tight budgets for education and other essential human services go
OINK!
NIELSEN continued page 3
University creates ‘Frankenswine’ heart See page 6.
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BOT to review former provost’s salary, documents showing package larger than originally thought inspire state amendment