MARQUETTE, MI— Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson has been fired.
In a hastily called special meeting Friday afternoon, the NMU Board of Trustees terminated Erickson’s contract in an 8-0 vote. It was the only item on the meeting’s agenda.
Although the Board praised Erickson for keeping the university stable during and after the pandemic, the reason given for his termination was a lack of forward thinking and bold innovation.
Trustee Steve Young also cited poor communication with members of the Board.
Erickson was present at the Zoom meeting but did not comment.
Erickson was hired as Northern’s 15th president on July 1, 2014.
The Board has not named an interim president. It has regularly scheduled meetings next week.
The NMU Board of Trustees released the following statement: