Sviggum to resign from the Board of Regents
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Steve Sviggum will soon resign from the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents.In an emotional speech in front of the entire board Thursday, Sviggum challenged the board’s reasoning and the fairness of the process that reviewed whether he could simultaneously hold his board position and a new job with the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus.“My reputation means a lot to me … I love this University unconditionally. This hurts bad,” Sviggum said.“For the good of the University, for the good of Minnesota, I will again, again leave something that I love.”He handed out a resignation letter and promptly left the board room.Once official, Sviggum’s resignation will cut short a six-year term on the board that began in February 2011. Shortly after his appointment to the board in 2011, Sviggum stepped down from a fellowship at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs following an ultimatum from a regent committee that he pick one job or the other.Soon to be one member short, Gov. Mark Dayton and the state Legislature will be responsible for filling Sviggum’s vacant seat on the board. Cohen guessed that seat may be filled by the next board meeting in early May.Board Chairwoman Linda Cohen said she wasn’t surprised by his announcement, and will formally ask Sviggum to resign.“I couldn’t see him giving up a job he’s really good at,” Cohen said of Sviggum’s position in the Legislature.The remaining 11 board members unanimously accepted an ad hoc committee’s recommendation that Sviggum must choose between his dual roles. Continue Reading