In less than a month, N.C. State University has lost its top leaders.

The largest public university in North Carolina has lost the chairman of its board of trustees, its top academic officer and its chancellor.

N.C. State is now missing the leaders most responsible for protecting it during a major budget crisis, and faculty worry that the controversy over Mary Easley has hurt its reputation.

"It's unnerving," said Robert Bruck, a professor of plant pathology and environmental science. "It's a perfect storm, and who's guiding the ship?

Students compared the last-minute contract adjustments for provost Larry Nielsen to the golden parachutes awarded Wall Street executives. (N&O)