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N.D. (AP) – Embattled North Dakota University System Chancellor Hamid Shirvani has been placed on administrative leave, effective immediately.

The Board of Higher Education voted last month to buy out Shirvani’s contract, after months of pressure from critics who questioned his leadership style. He was to stay until July 15. The board decided Thursday to speed up his departure.

The board hired Bismarck State College President Larry Skogen to serve as acting interim chancellor until the position is filled. Skogen will remain president at Bismarck State while taking on the additional duties. He says he has an excellent staff that will help with campus operations. Skogen says, “There’s a lot of healing that has to occur and it has to occur now,” after months of turmoil including board violations of open meeting laws.