When Larry Nielsen accepted the position as interim provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, he expected to serve in the term for just that — the interim.
An Oct. 28, 2004 release stated that Nielsen would not be a candidate for the permanent position being vacated by James Oblinger, chancellor-designate at that time.
“Nielsen is a well-known and respected leader on and off campus,” Oblinger said in the 2004 release. “It is important to have someone of his caliber to fill this position while we conduct a national search for our new provost.”
Keeping in line with what was announced, University officials released a statement April 27, 2005 naming the four candidates for provost, not including Nielsen, and scheduled interviews for May 2-9, 2005.
Events leading up to Provost Larry Nielsen’s resignation on Dipity.
Sources: News & Observer, ncsu.edu
Mary Easley hired
While serving as interim provost, Nielsen, according to documents that the News & Observer later obtained, received the resume of Mary Easley, wife of Gov. Mike Easley, May 2, 2005, the same day as the first open forum interview with a candidate for provost. Applying for a new lecture position, Easley was interviewed by Nielsen who also filed a waiver for the formal hiring process and a requested the new lecturer position for Easley. Nielsen also hired Mary Easley to coordinate a new university-wide seminar series aimed at bringing national and international leaders from a variety of sectors.
Chancellor James L. Oblinger said in a July 25, 2005 release, “We are fortunate to bring a person of Mary Easley’s stature and experience to our campus. Her energy, knowledge and experience will add tremendously to the educational experience of our students and other constituencies.”
Although he had the authority as interim provost, the News & Observer reported in an article May 10 of this year that two of the candidates for the provost position said interim provosts are “placeholders who would not typically create new positions on their own.”
Jim Martin, chair of the Faculty Senate, said he agreed.
Search to include Nielsen
On June 3, 2005, Oblinger said in another release that he decided to expand the search for provost to include Nielsen.
“There was considerable sentiment from many faculty, staff and students who attended the open forums and submitted their comments that the current interim provost should be considered as a candidate for the position,” Oblinger said in the statement. “While this decision will extend the search, I believe it’s the right response to comments from across campus.”
About three weeks later, on June 27, 2005, Oblinger announced that Nielsen had been named provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective July 11, 2005.
Charles Leffler, chair of the provost search committee and vice chancellor for finance and business, said the entire selection process took approximately six months. Leffler explained that Nielsen’s entry into the selection process followed the deadline lapse for new applications but was entered because of an invitation from the chancellor.
“We were looking for a person who had solid academic experience, scholarly work, and had held leadership positions,” Lefler said in the Technician July 6, 2005. “It’s important to end up with what you believe to be the best fit for the position, and you have to be satisfied with that position.”
Easley gets raise
Now as provost, Nielsen authorized giving Easley a $79,700 raise. And he accepted responsibility for hiring her.
In a July 10, 2008 statement, Nielsen said, “In her new position, Mrs. Easley’s responsibilities have been significantly expanded, warranting a new salary in the range of other management and law faculty at N.C. State and its peer institutions.”
While the economy began its decline and NCSU employees faced furloughs and layoffs, effective July 1, her salary went from $90,000 to $170,000, according to personnel records.
Her raise gave her a salary nearly $35,000 more than her husband, who made $135,854 as the state’s top elected official.
Nielsen resigns
Following an investigatory piece by the News & Observer published May 9-10, 2009 regarding executive privilege and the link between state officials, NCSU Board of Trustees members and top-level University administrators, including Nielsen, Nielsen announced his resignation.
“I have chosen to resign because of the intense public attention and criticism from my hiring of Mrs. Mary Easley and now because of questions surrounding the way I was hired as provost,” Nielsen said in a public statement regarding his resignation. “The personal stress associated with this situation has simply become unbearable. Also, the embarrassment and distraction that this situation has caused our university needs to end. I hope that my resignation will prove to be the solution to these problems.”
Oblinger said in a press conference May 14, 2009 that Nielsen’s resignation should not be considered an implication that the reports are valid.
“I have known Larry for eight years, and it is not in his character to do anything that would willfully harm North Carolina State University. This situation is not political patronage. There was no influence exhibited by anyone on anyone,” Oblinger said. “He told me he can’t take it anymore.”
Provost Nielsen’s Letter of Resignation Chancellor’s Statement on Provost’s Resignation
Previous Technician coverage of Easley’s salary:
Easley’s new position, salary raise questions Officials ‘misinterpret’ policy, to review employee contracts
