Himle resigns as Vice-President U (Star Tribune)

Karen Himle, the University of Minnesota, vice President, which annulled the dissemination of the documentary produced by the University "Troubled waters" resigned, U President Robert Bruininks announced this morning.

When asked if the time of his resignation had something to do with the controversy "Troubled waters", she laughed. "No," she says. "It does."

It was just "perfect time", she says. "It feels right."

Himle stated that when she accepted the job four years ago, she told Bruininks remain's mandate but that he would then return to the private sector. "It is always my plan."

Himle has the size of the State in September storm when it cancelled the documentary October 5 Twin Cities Public Television broadcasting. Bell Museum of Natural History, the U canceled in turn his first film in the same week. After intense public criticism, representatives of the University are reversed and film allowed to be released as planned.

The Land stewardship project called for his resignation and questioned whether it can be a conflict of interest in the dispute. Himle is married to John Himle, CEO of Himle Horner Inc., a public relations firm that represents Minnesota Agri-growth Council, professional association lobbied for agribusiness.

John Himle and agribusiness leaders said that they had no knowledge of the film in advance and no participation in the decision to cancel the dissemination.

Brian DeVore, communications management, Project Coordinator said Friday Himle should be responsible for its actions.

"We had a situation where the head of public relations has been authorized to take a decision on a film that had been scientifically validated and had been well research," said DeVore. "She was capable of making a reflex decision on it.

DeVore says questions go deeper than conflict of interest, but a person. "U need respond to what was the environment led to something like this takes place, and make sure that it happen again," he said.

Documentary explores the links between agriculture, pollution and the Mississippi River. There also profiles farmers who use new technologies or traditional conservation measures for reducing sediment that degrade the quality of water and nitrogen runoff contributes to the Gulf of Mexico "dead zone".

Himle later apologized for his action and Bruininks stood behind it.

"I am confident Himle Vice President and integrity", Bruininks said in a statement in September, adding that it "continues to be part of my outstanding leadership team."

Friday meeting the Board of Governors, Bruininks assigned resignation of the appointment of the new President of the University Eric Kaler Himle. Bruininks, who will be resigning from next summer, said Himle had always planned to return to private work.

Jenna Ross • 612-673-7168