NDSU President Dean Bresciani censured by Faculty Senate over provost appointment
Bresciani’s actions demonstrated a lack of transparency, avoided participation in shared governance and either lacked communication or provided misleading communication via email, the resolution claimed. 6:30 am, Feb. 11, 2021 ×
North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani speaks June 25, 2020, outside of the Memorial Union. (Forum file photo)
FARGO North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani has been censured by teaching staff for picking an administrator to fill his No. 2 spot even though she didn’t go through the hiring process that attracted more than 100 candidates.
In a 21-13 vote, the Faculty Senate passed the resolution Monday, Feb. 8, that condemned Bresciani’s move to appoint Margaret Fitzgerald as the university’s provost in October. Four members abstained.
Study shows one more step could help during pandemic
Brynn Rawlings, Guest Writer
DEVILS LAKE – A study published in Translational Behavioral Medicine shows that some measures to promote safety during the pandemic could be bolstered by one more step. The lack of physical activity, the world’s fourth leading cause of death, may be intensified by physical distancing measures during the pandemic.
“While physical distancing is important to reduce the spread of COVID-19, physical activity also must be used as a public health strategy during the pandemic and beyond. This would help people cope during the global crisis, and maintain healthy behaviors post pandemic,” said Dr. Stefanie Meyer, lead author of the study titled Physical Distancing ≠ Physical Inactivity. Meyer is assistant professor of practice in Public Health at North Dakota State University and a faculty fellow at the Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth.
UND plans more rapid coronavirus testing locations for upcoming semester
The kits will be used to primarily test students who are asymptomatic, but students who are presenting symptoms will not be turned away, according to Rosy Dub, director of UND’s COVID-19 medical response. 4:30 pm, Jan. 7, 2021 ×
Making health a priority: UND athletes are tested for COVID-19 during a testing event in July at the High Performance Center on campus. Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
With more rapid testing kits in hand, UND is planning to increase its coronavirus testing capabilities this semester.
The university is planning to implement more testing locations that will use the Binax Now rapid antigen tests, Rosy Dub, director of UND’s COVID-19 medical response, said. Additionally, UND is planning to increase testing frequency for students in particular groups, such as students in the aviation school, as well as athletes.
“Their inaction in the last week is actively contributing to the ‘hidden’ racist culture on campus, and until they decide to stand up and make a bold statement disavowing this behavior, it will continue to spread,” Doyle said.
The school has declined to discuss the cases or potential disciplinary actions, citing policy that protects privacy. In an email to the campus, President Dean Bresciani said he is appalled by the “conduct of students who engage in hate speech.”
However, he noted colleges have few tools to act on the matter since federal courts have said hate speech is protected.
Activists disputed that claim. They accused the school of not responding to racism quickly because the school doesn’t think it is a priority.