Following the sudden departure of Dickinson State University's entire nursing faculty, the school's president announced his resignation on Monday.
Steve Easton released a tearful video statement addressing the "turmoil between some of the faculty and the administration" at the North Dakota institution, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the leadership role he's held for four years.
Seven faculty members quit on July 10, citing an increased workload and the program's accreditation being at risk in recent years, according to KFYR-TV.
In an additional statement released on the DSU website, Easton said the conflict between the administration and nursing faculty stemmed from a disagreement over class-size guidelines. The president also claimed that the North Dakota Board of Nursing prohibited him from trying to find new faculty after the current employees quit, making it difficult to do his job.
"I did not come here to make life comfortable for faculty, though I have tried to support them as much as possible," Easton said in the video. "I did come here to do whatever I could for students, including doing what needed to be done, even though unpopular, to keep DSU here for future students."
In a statement, the board denied halting the hiring of new nursing faculty and that it would "continue to work with DSU to restore its nursing education program."
Easton concluded his video statement by apologizing to current students.
"I am deeply sorry for my mistakes, errors and shortcomings that hurt you even as we dared greatly together," he said. "In particular, I am sorry for the pain you have had to endure while those of us who are supposed to be watching out for you, including me, are squabbling."
Easton said he plans to remain in his role for a short transition period until a replacement can be found.
