The Daily Dispatch

The North Dakota Senate voted 38-6 to reappoint Richie Smith as the president of the Board of Higher Education. This will be Smith's second term.

"I'm humbled," Smith said. "It's nice the Senate had confidence in me to put me back on there for four more years."

However, according to the Associated Press, Smith had some opposition.

Hazen Sen. Randy Christmann voted against Smith. He says he likes the Wahpeton attorney personally, but he says some of Smith’s views on the board trouble him.

Christmann says Smith views the Board of Higher Education as a fourth branch of government.

In response, Smith said, "I never said it. If I have I've forgotten it. The state Constitution mandates [the board] submit a needs-based budget for all 11 institutions and promote the best interest of all institutions... There will be some conflict with the governor and legislators. But that doesn't make us a fourth branch [of government]."

Sen. Arden Anderson, D-Wahpeton, voted in favor of reappointing Smith as president. He said Smith represents the North Dakota State College of Science well and helps protect its unique programs from being duplicated at other institutions.

"There's always people from other communities with colleges and think they should duplicate the types of programs that Science has," Anderson said. "And I don't think that's necessary.... Richie does an excellent job of protecting [NDSCS]."

Smith said he and the board have a few plans for the next four years. In the short term, they plan to do a review of all 11 institutions. "Some will be fairly proactive. Some schools are doing real well and will basically be left alone," he said.

In the long term, the board will take a look at the financial plan, which the interim committee on higher education wanted them to review. This will be done in the summer and then active work will begin during the fall.

"I appreciate the privilege of serving on the board and I hope I can do a good job for all 11 institutions," Smith said.

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