Two Letters Regarding Isaak

We recently received two cogently written letters posted to our discussion page regarding the inadequate academic credentials for the job of N.D. Chancellor of higher education. We reprinted these letters below. -Editing Board

Published on 07/17/1994, GRAND FORKS HERALD UND PROF MAY PROTEST ISAAK APPOINTMENT SOME OTHER UND FACULTY MEMBERS HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT ISAAK'S QUALIFICATIONS A UND professor says she may circulate a petition protesting the appointment of Larry Isaak as a chancellor of the North Dakota University System. Other faculty members also express doubt about Isaak's qualifications to become the state's top academic officer. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from UND but lacks an advanced degree and on-campus teaching experience.

ND Board of Higher Education : Alice in wonderland 

Sam 20 Mar 2000  The Chancellor of higher education not only lacks a doctorate degree but also has no apparent academic credentials . He never held an academic rank , performed research or taught classes . How can you expect excellence by an accounting major . However,  the Board selected him over 18 well qualified applicants because he worked at the chancellor office (grand forks herald issue of February 15, 1994).--- Indeed " Higher education board needs reform", as mentioned in the editorial of G.F. Herald for October 7, 1994 /or 1996 , or even better " Arrest the board of higher education" another editorial on October 9, 1996.The Board has also apparently committed " A flagrant violation of the law " as indicated in the G.F. Herald 's article of October 9, 1996. How awesome ...!!!!.

Reply from a professor: 20 March 2000

The history of Mr. Isaak's rise from bean counter to grand poobah of the whole system is a bit different from Sam's account. All the finalists for the position of Chancellor withdrew (probably after they saw the frying pan they were about to jump into. Then the board threw out its previously published reqs (PhD, academic and administrative experience) and simply hired him. The logic was that he got along with the Legislature and that this good will would be salutary for higher ed appropriations. Guess they were wrong.