NCSU chancellor: Mary Easley should resign

North Carolina State University Chancellor James Oblinger believes that former state First Lady Mary Easley should resign from her $170,000-per-year job at the university.

Oblinger made his view known on Monday after participating in a groundbreaking ceremony on Centennial Campus, NCSU spokesman Keith Nichols said. When asked by a reporter if he thought Easley should resign, Oblinger said, ???It???s in the best interest of the university.???

The response from the chancellor came in the wake of the resignations of both Provost Larry Nielsen and of McQueen Campbell, chairman of the NCSU Board of Trustees. The resignations came amidst concerns that they acted improperly in the Easley hiring.

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Nielsen and McQueen both have denied any wrongdoing.

In dispute are the circumstances around the hiring of Easley in 2005 to help with managing a speaker series at the university. That position ??? which came with a $90,000 a year salary ??? was expanded last summer to include leading the creation of an academic center for law enforcement and first responders. With the added responsibilities, Easley???s salary was increased to $170,000 in July.