UPDATE: Oblinger, Nielsen did not appear before the grand jury.
Chancellor James Oblinger and outgoing Provost Larry Nielsen are scheduled to appear before a federal grand jury today along with records detailing the hiring, promotion and compensation of former First Lady Mary Easley.
The subpoena is the latest development in a controversy connecting former Gov. Mike Easley to McQueen Campbell, the former chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, and top University administrators.
Oblinger said Monday he was not concerned about his job, and said Wednesday the University had no issues with the request for he, Nielsen and the custodian of records to appear in court.
“We are cooperating completely with the investigation,” Oblinger said.
Nielsen was named interim provost in 2005 and hired Mrs. Easley as an executive-in-residence, teaching three courses. Nielsen, who was not among those considered for the permanent provost position, was added to the list of candidates June 3, 2005, nearly a month after he created Easley’s position and hired her. Oblinger announced Nielsen as the selection for the permanent provost position June 27, 2005.
Campbell admitted to UNC President Erskine Bowles last week that he had mentioned Mrs. Easley’s availability for a new job. Nielsen, who repeatedly said he took direct responsibility for the hiring of Mrs. Easley, resigned Thursday, while Campbell resigned Friday, one day after Bowles publicly made the suggestion that the NCSU alumnus resign as well.
Oblinger says there is “no connection whatsoever” between Nielsen, Easley hirings
Though Nielsen was not considered a candidate for the permanent post until after Mrs. Easley was hired, Oblinger maintains the chronology of the events was coincidental.
“He was a popular favorite,” Oblinger said. “I was convinced to bring him in to that pool and he was the hands down favorite.”
Oblinger said he didn’t announce Nielsen as interim provost on a whim, adding Nielsen wasn’t among those considered because he wasn’t interested in the job.
“I don’t bring someone in to an interim role to just be sure the desk doesn’t blow away. I expect to move things forward,” Oblinger said. “At one time he didn’t feel he was interested in that role. He grew to like that role and on that basis he was willing to come in when he was asked.”
Nielsen, Campbell say no foul play in hirings
Nielsen and Campbell both wrote in their resignation letters that while their stepping down was due to the controversy surrounding Mrs. Easley’s hiring, the two did not act unethically.
“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 wrote in his letter to Oblinger.
Oblinger also said Nielsen’s hiring of Mrs. Easley was not a political favor in return for his naming as permanent provost, insisting his resignation was in response to the stress of the job, especially due to the recent controversy.
“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.”
Campbell’s resignation letter to Gov. Bev Perdue stated his stepping down was not because he “acted inappropriately,” but was instead to rid the University of further distractions that could come with his continued service.
“I step today aside because I want what is best for N.C. State,” the letter reads.
Bowles, Oblinger ask former First Lady to step down
WRAL reported Monday that Oblinger said Mrs. Easley should resign from her post. Bowles also suggested she step down.
Oblinger said Wednesday he still supports an Easley resignation in hopes that it will put an end to the unfair, negative shadow that has been cast on the University.
“We need to move forward,” Oblinger said. “I’m hoping that Mrs. Easley will do the right thing.”
Easley’s resignation would likely leave position vacant
According to Undergraduate Academic Program Interim Dean John Ambrose, if Easley were to resign, her position would likely remain vacant due to budget constraints.
“With the budget situation right now it is very difficult to fill a position unless it’s directly related to teaching,” Ambrose said.
Ambrose said because Easley’s job was mostly concerned with the development of relationships with law schools, her position likely wouldn’t be filled if she chose to resign.
“Her responsibilities were primarily looking at forging relationships with some of the law school,” Ambrose said, “She was working with Campbell University to developing a dual degree where our students might be able to complete a degree in management and go on to get a law degree.”
Ambrose said the budgetary issues aren’t helped by the bad publicity NCSU has received in recent weeks.
“The University is going through a very difficult time right now because of the budget situation and it’s very unfortunate that we’re being subjected to this kind of press,” Ambrose said.
Ambrose said the Chancellor’s urging of Easley to resign was for similar reasons that Provost Larry Nielsen resigned last Thursday.
“It may very well be for the best for her to step down at this time,” Ambrose said. “I’m not passing a judgment on what she does or what she doesn’t do or the appropriateness of her appointment but if the provost was going to step down because of the concern that was coming from the outside then I think this is a logical follow-up.”
Ambrose said Easley’s resignation could affect NCSU’s progress toward the dual-degree program with Campbell University.
“[Her resignation] would probably have some consequences in the development of the dual degree program,” Ambrose said. “If Mary Easley were to step down that would probably have some effect on at least the timing of that development if not the development in total.”
Information concerning Easley’s contract was requested, but was not available at press time.
Former first lady met on campus Monday
Campbell resigns amidst controversy concerning Easley hiring
Chancellor Oblinger responds to Nielsen resignation
Chancellor James Oblinger’s statement on Nielsen’s resignation
Oblinger’s letter to the News & Observer
News & Observer Executive Privilege Series
Technician coverage of Mary Easley salary increase
Technician coverage of BOG review of salary contracts
Managing Editor Ana Andruzzi, and editors emeriti Saja Hindi and John Cooper Elias contributed to this story.
