A resolution now in the House would call for a study of governance in the North Dakota University System.
House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R-Fargo) is the author. He also drafted a measure two years ago that would have replaced the current volunteer Board of Higher Education with a three-person full time board. Voters rejected that. Carlson told the House Education Committee there needs to be clear lines of authority within the system.
"You hear discussion of rogue presidents and things like that," said Carlson. "I don't think we want to hear that in the future. As they go to search for a new Chancellor, I think the best thing a Chancellor would like is to know exactly what everybody's role is in the chain of command."
Interim Chancellor Larry Skogen says he’s in favor of the study – as long as higher education has a seat at the table. Skogen told the committee the current form of governance dates back to the 1930s.
"However, we have transformed as a state in the last decade," said Skogen. "That same decade has witnessed a growing tension between this Legislative body and the constituted independent governing board for higher education. That is unfortunate on a number of levels."
Skogen says he hopes this study might re-energize the principles adopted in 1999 – when the Legislature adopted the "roundtbale" concept, to give higher education flexibility with accountability.
Carlson says if lawmakers approve the study, he could see hiring outside consultants to help with governance models. He says consultants were used when the Workers Compensation agency became Worforce Safety and Insurance.
