Steve Easton Resigns as President of Dickinson State University
Steve Easton Resigns from Dickinson State University.
The president of Dickinson State University in North Dakota, Steve Easton, announced his resignation on Monday, July 15th, following the recent departure of the school's entire nursing faculty.
Turmoil Cited as Reason for Steve Easton Resignation
In a video message, Easton acknowledged "turmoil between some in the faculty and the administration" as a contributing factor to his decision.
This turmoil came to a head last week when seven nursing faculty members resigned, citing concerns about the nursing program's accreditation and a lack of support from the administration.
His letter outlines disagreements between former nursing faculty and the DSU administration. https://t.co/DDWP8sGjMt
— KMOT (@KMOT_TV) July 15, 2024
Source: Twitter/KMOT_TV
Nursing Faculty Concerns
Former Assistant Professor of Nursing Trista Keith spoke out about the faculty's reasons for leaving. She revealed that the nursing faculty had been aware of accreditation risks for several years and felt they were not given adequate time or resources to address these concerns.
Steve Easton Disputes Board’s Account
Easton claimed that the North Dakota Board of Nursing restricted his ability to find replacements for the departed faculty.
"If I cannot do whatever I can for our students, including looking for faculty members so the students can continue their education, I cannot do my job because fighting for students is my job," Easton said in his message.
Board Refutes Easton’s Claims
The North Dakota Board of Nursing issued a statement contradicting Easton's claims. They clarified that they did not force his resignation or prevent the university from hiring new faculty.
However, they did confirm issuing a standard notice to the university regarding shortcomings identified in the nursing program, which would be reviewed at an upcoming board meeting.
Financial Concerns Cited as Another Factor
Easton also mentioned that he had been warned that some financial supporters of the university might withdraw their backing if he remained president.
Orderly Transition Planned
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure, Easton has committed to staying on for a short period to facilitate a smooth transition.
The exact date of his departure remains unclear.
Leadership Praised Despite Resignation
Despite the circumstances surrounding Steve Easton's resignation, both State Board of Higher Education Chair Tim Mihalick and North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott commended his leadership during his time at Dickinson State.
University’s Future Uncertain
Dickinson State University faces an uncertain future with the fall semester approaching on August 26th.
The university had nearly 1,500 students registered for the fall semester, and the recent faculty departures raise concerns about the continuation of the nursing program and potentially other programs as well.
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