The drama continues at North Carolina State University, one of the state’s two flagship universities. To understand these events, keep in mind that the school is located in Raleigh, the capital of a somewhat-corrupt state government. (The previous speaker of the house went to prison.)

In 2005, Mary Easley, wife of North Carolina governor Mike Easley, was hired as executive-in-residence and senior lecturer. On July 1, 2008, her salary jumped from $90,300 to $170,000 (or $850,000 for her five-year contract). This 88 percent increase created a stir.

But only when the chairman of N.C. State’s Board of Trustees, McQueen Campbell, admitted that he had recommended Easley did her job become more than an embarrassment. Campbell was a close pal of the governor who had flown the Easleys on many trips in his plane, probably violating ethical laws, and who gave the governor a sweetheart deal on waterfront property.

At that point, Campbell resigned. Larry Nielsen, the N.C. State provost, who had hired Easley, also resigned under pressure. The president of the UNC system, the chairman of the system Board of Governors, and even the chancellor of N.C. State called on Easley to resign. But she hasn’t. She held a press conference to say that she was staying on, and (in spite of her own prowess as a lawyer) let her attorney do all the talking.

Oh yes, and Larry Nielsen, the provost who resigned, will receive his $298,700 provost’s salary for six months. Why? His contract allows him up to a year to plan what research he’ll do when he goes back to being a mere professor (and paid a mere $156,000).

The press is rightfully harumphing. Meanwhile, the legislature, emboldened by the fact that Mike Easley is no longer governor, is chipping away at Mary Easley’s job. It is eliminating state support for the speakers’ series she manages and the center for public safety that she was supposed to manage once it was created. The legislature, at least, realizes that with the state in a fiscal free-fall, even privileged faculty-administrators need some restraint.

I wonder how long the public will tolerate taxpayers’ money being lavished on these entitled university bureaucrats — all in the name of “higher education.” It won’t be forever.