FAIRBANKS, AK (Wisconsin Radio Network) -- The man who nearly became president of the University of Wisconsin system is now out of a job.
Jim Johnsen was the sole finalist for UW System president when he withdrew from consideration earlier this month. Now Johnsen has resigned as president of the University of Alaska system.
Reports out Alaska indicate his had been marked by no-confidence votes from the faculty amid deep budget cuts. His resignation comes a week after the faculty union demanded he quit.
Shortly after he interviewed for the UW job, many faculty and staffers brought up those concerns, adding they didn't feel like they had enough of a say in the selection process.
Last week former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson was named the interim president of the UW system. It's unclear how long that assignment will last, or how the system will go about restarting the search for a new President.