DEVILS LAKE (KFGO) - The Board of Higher Education turned down two requests by one of its members for a special meeting to discuss the contract of North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott.
Hagerott asked for an investigation into what he said was pressure from people who wanted him to punish interim University of North Dakota president Ed Schafer for endorsing a governor candidate in last year’s primary election. That request came after Hagerott’s decision to fire vice chancellor Lisa Feldner without cause.
Board member Mike Ness, of Hazen, opened a meeting in Devils Lake asking the board to discuss scheduling a session to talk about Hagerott and possible legal action that could be related to the events of the last couple of weeks. The motion failed because ON 4-4 vote.Ness brought it up again at the close of the meeting.
Board chairman Don Morton, of Fargo, says he doesn’t consider it an urgent matter and says the board should take up the issue behind closed doors, if possible, during its Nov. 30 meeting in Bismarck.