Settlements and Verdicts

Chancellor Authority

Bismarck, ND: (Feb-11-08) Robert Potts, former chancellor of North Dakota's Board of Higher Education, brought a lawsuit against North Dakota State University, following clashes with Joseph Chapman, the president of North Dakota State University, and disagreements with some board members over the scope of Potts' authority. Records stated that the board members thought it was best for Potts to resign from his position and worked out a deal with him, leading to his resignation in August 2006. Sources stated that in exchange for Potts' resignation, board members agreed to pay him his salary, benefits and housing and car allowances until July 2007, when his three-year contract was scheduled to end. The package was worth about $200,000.

Following the settlement, Potts agreed to be a consultant to North Dakota's university system while he was being paid, and the terms of his settlement allowed him to seek another job. He started work in November 2006 as the top administrator on the Jonesboro campus of Arkansas State University. In recent developments, an auditor questioned the board's handling of the resignation of the state university system's top administrator, claiming that the board paid Potts about $200,000 for doing nothing. [JAMESTOWN SUN: CHANCELLOR AUTHORITY]

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