New interim NDUS head named

CHANCELLOR Former President of Bemidji State College Larry Skogen named interim Chancellor.

On Wednesday, Larry Skogen was named the interim Chancellor of the North Dakota University System by the State Board of Higher Education.

The Board of Higher Education voted five to three for Skogen over former state commerce commissioner Shane Goettle.

Skogen will take office before Nov. 1 and serve through June 2015.

“I have the best job in North Dakota. I wasn’t a bit worried. I thought the board would make the best decision for the University System” Skogen said in a press release.

Skogen’s salary will be increasing from $184,000 to $291,000 after being appointed to his new position.

There will be a public vote that could potentially abolish the board of higher education and the chancellor’s office. In its place, there would be a three-member commission appointed by the governor.

The board bought out the contract with the former chancellor, Hamid Shirvani, after controversy surrounding his position.