news-record.com

The Mary Easley story has not been good for N.C. State.

Not only has the university lost a chancellor, provost and trustees chairman over Easley's hiring and promotion when she was first lady, it may be losing financial support from angry donors.

"If NCSU can afford to give Mary Easley an $80,000 salary increase, it no longer needs my support," an alumnus wrote to the university last year in an e-mail obtained by The News & Observer of Raleigh.

Overall giving may not suffer substantially. Most contributors still should see the value in supporting an institution that means a great deal to this state. At the same time, the university's new leaders know they have to re-establish trust with the public, alumni and potential donors.

To that end, they must stand firm against Easley's challenge of her dismissal. Interim Chancellor James Woodward said her job was eliminated in a budget move and she isn't due any severance or settlement. His exact words about what she would get were, "It's zero." If she ends up with more than that, it will further alienate friends of the university.

Sadly, Easley's appeal does not make her a friend of N.C. State. Her attorney has pointed out that she had a contract. Normally that would carry some weight. But it's been established that her job was created through her husband's intervention. The governor's influence undermines the legitimacy of her former position and any entitlement to further remuneration she might claim.

Her best move now, if she cares at all for the university and for her own reputation, is to drop the matter. As an attorney, she can pursue other professional opportunities. Or she can choose to serve some worthy cause in a voluntary capacity.

Both she and N.C. State need a fresh start, away from each other.