UAF professor Michael Hannigan resigned his position as president-elect of the Faculty Senate following allegations that he received his Ph.D. from a "diploma mill."

Hannigan announced his resignation in an e-mail to President Abel Bult-Ito on Oct. 12, citing "circumstances beyond my control." The decision effectively ends his official involvement with the faculty governance body.

Hannigan quoted the late Professor Wallace S. Sayre, who said, "The politics of the university are so intense because the stakes are so low."

"In recent weeks, I have come to understand more fully the meaning of his words," wrote Hannigan.

An associate professor of social work at UAF's Northwest Campus in Nome since 1985, Hannigan was elected president in April. But controversy built after he was quoted in the June 25 issue of the Chronicle for High Education, an academic magazine, in an article about diploma mills.

Hannigan holds a doctorate from the International University for Graduate Studies in St. Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean college with questionable accreditation. In the article, he called the school a "lightweight," saying he was "used to a bit more rigor in academic things."

Only St. Kitts and Nevis recognizes the school as accredited. Journalism professors Susan Andrews and John Creed of Kotzebue alerted senators in August, and Bult-Ito appointed a committee to look into the matter.

After investigating the matter, the committee issued a report in September recommending that Hannigan retain his office, finding no grounds for recall or impeachment and calling for an examination into how to evaluate foreign diplomas.

Senators postponed adopting the report, but a vote of confidence motion in Hannigan's leadership failed 1-16, with six abstentions.

Hannigan could not be reached for comment despite numerous attempts. Norm Swazo, who chaired an ad-hoc investigative committee into the matter, said it was "a matter of conscience for Mr. Hannigan."

Nominations to fill the now-vacant seat have been opened, with elections in December. Bult-Ito will continue to serve as president until 2005.

Michael Hannigan

photo by Robinson Duffy/Sun Star

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