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Auditor: Potts should not have been paid BISMARCK, ND (Prairie Public) - A new financial audit report takes the North Dakota University System to task for paying a year's salary to former Chancellor Robert Potts.

Potts resigned because of a dispute with the Board of Higher Education and with NDSU president Joe Chapman. In the settlement, Potts was paid one year's salary -- with housing and travel allowances -- in exchange for consultant services.

John Grettum is with the state auditor's office. He told the Board's audit committee Potts should not have been paid.

"He had about nine duties that were outlined in his new consulting contract," said Grettum. "And he performed none of those. Essentially the chancellor was paid $200,000 and did nothing."

In its formal response -- the University System said the system could have struggled for another year with a Chancellor that did not have the full support of the Board, the college presidents and Governor Hoeven, and could face a potential lawsuit. The system said it took a more prudent route -- to get the matter behind it.

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