In recent years, when it’s come time to hire for a high-profile position in North Dakota’s state government, our public servants have increasingly turned to expensive private consultants. These firms conduct national searches and return to the decision makers a list of candidates. This is an expensive process, and it’s success are inconsistent at best.…
Guest Post: Suggestions for Reviving the University of North Dakota
This guest post was written by William J. Brotherton, a UND graduate, a North Dakota and Texas attorney, and an adopted member of the Spirit Lake Sioux. He is the author of Burlington Northern Adventures: Railroading in the Days of the Caboose. He lives in Argyle, Texas. Now that the University of North Dakota will…
Ed Schafer Says No to Another Stint as President of the University of North Dakota
This week current UND President Mark Kennedy sent an official resignation out to campus, occasioned by his acceptance of a new job as president of the University of Colorado. Here’s what he sent: Kennedy isn’t North Dakota’s problem any more. Things had gotten so bad that Colorado hiring him saved North Dakota the trouble of…
Former DOT Drivers License Director Allegedly Told Female Subordinate She Reminded Him of a Character in a Romance Novel He Wrote
Glenn Jackson was director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s drivers license division until he resigned last week. He’d been on leave since February pending an investigation into accusations that he, among other things, was showing favoritism to young, female employees. As you can see from the full investigation report into those accusations (below),…
Mark Kennedy Named New President of the University of Colorado
It was a close, but the outcome wasn’t unexpected. On a party line vote, the Board of Regents voted to appoint current University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy as the new President of the University of Colorado. If you want to watch the whole, long-winded meeting you can do so here: This solves a…
Heidi Heitkamp Says She’d Consider Being President of the University of North Dakota
I wrote previously that if former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp wanted the president’s job at the University of North Dakota she should be considered for it. Of course, current UND President Mark Kennedy still has the job, even though he’s the sole finalist for a new job in Colorado. But it’s clear he’s worn out…
Print Column: Subjecting Mark Kennedy to an Ideological Litmus Test Is Unfair
MINOT, N.D. — Once upon a time I thought Mark Kennedy was going to be a good leader for the University of North Dakota. I cheered when he made tough decisions like closing down the women’s hockey program which bled money because, despite vocal support from some, few showed up to watch the games or…
UND Should Absolutely Consider Heidi Heitkamp for President
One way or another, UND President Mark Kennedy is gone. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” is a phrase I’m sure you’re familiar with if you’ve ever stayed until closing time at a bar. That’s pretty much where Kennedy is at. He may or may not get a new job…
What Is the Point of the State Board of Higher Education?
There are two very ugly, very tumultuous situations in North Dakota’s university system right now. Situations in need of accountability. Transparency. Strong leadership. Unfortunately, we’re not getting it from the State Board of Higher Education. Case in point, University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy sent a letter to campus which said he’d be leaving…
Kennedy Denying That He Resigned Is All About Money
Late last week North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott sent a letter to embattled UND President Mark Kennedy accepting his tacit resignation. Kennedy had, earlier in the week, sent the campus what sure seemed like a definitive resignation letter, and Hagerott chose to view it that way. But yesterday the Grand Forks Herald reported that…