Givens Quits As Leader Of Nic Board She Says She Needs More Time For Arts Board

Calling the role one of the greatest honors of her life, Jeanne Givens stepped down Wednesday as chairwoman of North Idaho College’s board of trustees after a tumultuous year.

“We’re ready for change,” Givens said during a break in the board meeting, noting that NIC is on the verge of hiring a president. “It is certainly the appropriate time to move on.”

Bill Nixon was named chairman Wednesday night. Givens will remain a member of the board.

Givens, 46, said she needs to devote more time to The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N.M. As vice president of the institute’s board, Givens is required to travel several days each month.

Givens was nominated by President Clinton to serve on the prestigious New Mexico board, which oversees a two-year creative arts program serving 550 tribes nationwide. The Senate approved her nomination in November.

In her role as NIC chairwoman, Givens led the board’s effort to force the resignation of former NIC President Bob Bennett. The secrecy surrounding the terms of Bennett’s departure - he was given $142,000 in return for his promise not to sue - drew campus and community criticism.

Givens said she had no regrets when she addressed the board Wednesday night.

“I have learned that putting the interests for the well-being of the institution is first and foremost. I’ve learned the value of making a tough decision and sticking to it when most of the odds are stacked against you,” she said. “I’ve learned an invaluable life lesson about loyalty.”

She praised the board’s selection of four “fine” presidential candidates and noted that in the last year, the board took important steps toward giving women athletes equal opportunities. The college also took an important historical step with its Native American initiative to support and recruit students, said Givens, who is an active member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

She commended the decision to survey students and employees about the climate and culture of the campus.

The survey showed employees had been unhappy with the board’s leadership. Of 273 respondents, only 16.2 percent said they felt confident in the board’s decisions.

But Givens said during a break in the meeting that her reasons for stepping down were not related to perceptions in the survey.

“It’s a matter of two important boards I’m sitting on. It would not be fair to carry on as chair with these other responsibilities.”

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