Chancellor Ham Shirvani Answers Lawmakers Questions - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Conflict between the North Dakota University System and North Dakota lawmakers has been on-going.

But the controversy really heated up this week and came to a boil when Senator Tony Grindberg announced his plan to ask lawmakers to buy out Chancellor Ham Shirvani.

Much of the controversy surrounds a room in a building to be built in Grand Forks.

In a rare move, the Senate Appropriations Committee, which holds the Higher Ed Budget scheduled a special meeting to get answers.

Chancellor of the North Dakota Universities, Hamid Shirvani, stands in front of a "firing squad" of sorts.

"Why we are meeting here today is to clear the air," says Senator Karen Kresbach of Minot.

North Dakota lawmakers' concern is over a room in a new building being built on UND's campus.

Chancellor of North Dakota's University System, Ham Shirvani, says, "as everyone has elaborated, if you don't want me to use the building, I'm fine with that."

The plans for the University System's Information Technology building call for a room for the Chancellor.

Blueprints title the space "Chancellor's Suite".

"It's inconsequential to me where I sit, I could sit in the cafeteria," says Shirvani.

Higher Education Board members stand behind Shirvani.

Grant Shaft says he sees nothing wrong with the Chancellor having a space he can use when he visits UND.

He says it follows what the board asked of Shirvani when he was hired.

"The board gave him clear directive to get out of Bismarck and visit campuses. He's been following that directive," says Shaft.

Others say the "Chancellor's Suite" was just a name given to a room. It's still in the design phase no lavish furnishings are ordered or planned -- including no cherry wood walls -- a rumor lawmakers had been hearing.

Senator Ray Holmberg asked the University System representative, "do you think we would have approved this, if we would've known about this?"

"If the chancellor's not there, that space will be needed," replies Chief Information Officer Randall Thursby.

Those involved in this conversation or who witness these events unfold know this isn't all about a "room". It's about trust, relationships and an on-going rift.

"Not here for this foolishness, let's move forward in a positive way," says State Board of Higher Ed President, Duaine Espegard.

Senator Grindberg withheld from introducing his amendment to "buy out" the chancellor today.