Nelms Retirement Leaves Some With Questions

N.C. Central is getting ready to search for a new permanent replacement for Chancellor Charlie Nelms, who abruptly announced his retirement late last week.

Dave DeWitt: When James Moeser announced he was stepping down as UNC-Chapel Hill's chancellor in 2007, he did so eight full months before he officially left the job. Chancellors at other UNC system schools typically give at least several months' notice, even if they are leaving for other positions.

But when Charlie Nelms announced his retirement from N-C Central last week, he gave 7 business days. And the change comes with less than a month before fall classes begin.

Nelms cancelled a Monday press conference during which he likely would have further explained his retirement. Instead, he issued a release that said he wanted to "shift the discussion from retirement to the arrival of the interim chancellor."

Durham attorney Charles Becton will be the interim chancellor. His first day at NC Central is Monday.