ND higher ed board to review 'disturbing' allegations surrounding Chancellor Shirvani

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BISMARCK - The state Board of Higher Education will meet in May to discuss "disturbing information and allegations" regarding embattled Chancellor Hamid Shirvani, including alleged violations of the state's open meetings and open records laws, and possible violations of state Board of Higher Education policy.

The issue came up at the end of Thursday's board meeting on the Bismarck State College campus, with student representative Sydney Hull saying the board needs to consider and analyze a packet of copies of emails and other documents he said seem to show the violations.

"Something has to change and we as a board need to consider these things," he said.

Hull stopped short of supporting an amendment by Sen. Tony Grindberg, R-Fargo, that recently passed the Senate that would provide the board with funding to buy out the remainder of Shirvani's three-year contract. Shirvani has held the office since July 1.

Hull requested the board meet in April to discuss the allegations, which he said are based on information he received from past and current North Dakota University System employees, after they had time to thoroughly look over the documents. Copies of the documents weren't immediately available to reporters covering the meeting.

President Duaine Espegard said the board will thoroughly vet every allegation and look over the documents. But he said the meeting will be set for May, not next month, because that doesn't allow enough time to go through everything.

Check back for more on this developing story.

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