Associated Press Writer

By DALE WETZELBy DALE WETZEL

The president of the North Dakota State College of Science, Sharon Hart, is stepping down.

The Board of Higher Education has scheduled a telephone conference call meeting today to review a proposed settlement with Hart, who has faced recent criticism from faculty and some alumni for her leadership at the Wahpeton school.

Eddie Dunn, chancellor of North Dakota's university system, said final details of a settlement agreement with Hart were being resolved Tuesday. Hart's attorney, Charles "Casey" Chapman, of Bismarck, did not respond to telephone and e-mail requests for comment.

Dunn declined to talk about the settlement, but two sources familiar with it told the Associated Press that Hart would be taking a job in the university system's central office in Bismarck until she could find other work.

John Richman, the college's vice president for academic and student affairs, will be named as interim president of the two-year school while Hart's permanent successor is recruited, the sources said.

Richman did not respond immediately to telephone and e-mail messages left at his office for comment late Tuesday.

An agenda of the board's meeting, scheduled for 4 p.m. today, lists two business items - a recommended agreement with Hart and the possible appointment of an interim president for the College of Science.

Hart has been president of the two-year school for six years. A member of the school's alumni foundation recently circulated a petition asking for her resignation, claiming that she has hurt private fundraising. Hart said the foundation's assets have grown during her tenure.

Members of the school's faculty also gave Hart a vote of no confidence last month, in response to what faculty members said were questionable pay raises and promotions given to top administrators at the school.