The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees negotiated for President Fritz Erickson’s resignation for about six weeks before he was fired on Friday.
Board Chair Tami Seavoy said members wanted Erickson to leave voluntarily by the end of this year. The former president refused to step down when he learned his wife wouldn’t get compensation if Erickson died before the negotiated payout date. That prompted the board to terminate Erickson’s contract immediately.
Trustee Steve Young said during Friday’s online meeting that declining enrollment cannot be accepted. Northern’s enrollment was 8,781 when Erickson took office in 2014. It stands at 7,214 this semester.
Trustees will discuss Erickson’s interim replacement at its regular meeting on Friday.
