HERE WE GO AGAIN IN NORTH DAKOTA HIGHER EDUCATION

Poor Joe Chapman, president of North Dakota State University.

He just can’t get along with anyone—especially his bosses—and it’s not his fault.

In a July 27, 2006 commentary entitled, HIGHER-ED FOLLIES: Passive-aggressive tactics win out in N.D. higher ed published in the Grand Forks Herald, I documented the passive/aggressive (the expression of anger and aggression in passive ways to frustrate the wishes of others—often bosses) of Chapman and others as they colluded to undermine the leadership of Chancellor Robert Potts.

Chapman and his allies succeeded, and Potts resigned (He is now the chancellor of the Jonesboro campus of Arkansas State University, which has an enrollment of approximately 11,000 students).

In this years legislative session Mr. Chapman differed with Potts replacement, Eddie Dunn, over legislative issues. The issues are less important than how Chapman handled them.

Dunn wrote in a letter to Chapman dated March 20, 2007:

1. Chapman breached Dunn’s faith and trust by repeating to the State Board of Higher Education president comments made by Dunn and others in a Chancellor’s Cabinet meeting where there is an expectation of confidentiality,

2. Chapman misrepresented statements made by Dunn and Pat Seaworth (General Counsel to the State Board of Higher Education) to the board president causing considerable stress for those involved,

3. Chapman conveyed to the board president that one of the college presidents said the “board is passive” and that Mr. Dunn agreed with that statement. Mr. Dunn denied agreement with that statement and, as in each of the above situations, asked Mr. Chapman to speak to him directly if he had issues.

4. Mr. Chapman says he reports to the board and not to the chancellor—the root of his problem with Robert Potts and now Eddie Dunn. Mr. Dunn pointed out to Mr. Chapman that he reports to the Chancellor and that Mr. Chapman’s conduct has harmed the trust, respect, and credibility of the State Board of Higher Education.

Mr. Chapman deflected Mr. Dunn’s concerns.

Chapman feared he might be fired over the disagreement, hired an attorney, and asked Dunn to excuse himself from writing a performance evaluation because Dunn demonstrated a personal bias against him. Poor Joe Chapman.

Managers administer tens of millions of performance appraisals in the United States annually. A significant percentage involves people who don’t like each other and most contain some elements of criticism.

Mr. Chapman, here’s the point: performance appraisals exist so bosses can give subordinates feedback—critical and positive. The ordinary people who work for NDSU don’t get to have their boss step aside because the boss might criticize them—neither do you. To suggest such a thing is ludicrous.

Mr. Dunn reviewed Mr. Chapman’s performance via telephone on May 17, 2007. Mr. Chapman didn’t get fired. His spokesperson says Chapman believes the “matter is closed.”

I’ve read the letters and other documents in this matter. I congratulate Chancellor Dunn and Mr. Seaworth for their direct handling of this issue. It is clear that they kept the lines of communication open with the appropriate parties and learned something from the Robert Potts fiasco.

Joe Chapman has not learned. His immature behavior in the Robert Potts situation was repeated in this situation and will likely be repeated again in the future to the detriment of higher education in North Dakota. Any future attempts to undermine others by Mr. Chapman should be dealt with directly with progressive discipline.

President Chapman cannot be trusted and should resign. Perhaps Robert Potts could be persuaded to return and lead NDSU.