FARGO (KFGO-AM) - The North Dakota State University System and the State Board of Higher Education are investigating “communications issues” involving North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani.
Bresciani said in a campus email Monday that text messages he sent regarding media guidelines for covering Bison Athletics were "not appropriate.'' In the email, Bresciani continued to claim that he wasn't consulted on the guidelines that were criticized by reporters and on social media.
In a written statement, North Dakota Board of Higher Education Chair Kathleen Neset said “The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and the North Dakota University System is in the process of gathering all pertinent information regarding the recent situation at North Dakota State University. The SBHE and the NDSU operates in a very public and transparent manner and our citizens and students deserve professionalism from each of us at all times. This new development is serious and consistent with communications issues the board previously identified in Dr. Bresciani’s improvement plan. After the board has had the opportunity to review the information, it will consider next steps as soon as possible.”
Bresciani in his email acknowledged initially supporting the guidelines but added he came to realize his understanding of them “was not accurate” and that “my initial support was misplaced.”
State Legislature Higher Education Committee Chairman Mark Sanford calls the controversy “unfortunate.”