You figure universities are primarily dumping grounds for politicians, their friends, and their families. You figure that because that’s the way it’s always been.

And then things suddenly change on you, and your life becomes unbearable.

The top academic official at North Carolina State University stepped down Thursday, saying controversy over his hiring of the state’s former first lady has become “unbearable.”

Provost Larry Nielsen created a new faculty position and used it to hire Mary Easley, wife of former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, who left office in January after two terms.

The 31,000-student school hired Mary Easley in 2005 to oversee a lecture series and teach three courses. Last summer, a new compensation agreement expanded her role and boosted her salary to $850,000 over a five-year contract. [88% raise.]

The News & Observer of Raleigh has raised questions about why Nielsen was hired as provost even though he was not among an initial pool of candidates.

He served as interim provost during the search, and school officials named him to the post permanently in June 2005, shortly before the university announced Easley’s hiring. The newspaper said Nielsen worked closely with Easley ally McQueen Campbell, who chaired the university trustees’ personnel committee.

… N.C. State is the largest campus of North Carolina’s 16 public universities.

Last summer, Nielsen defended Easley’s increased salary by saying she had new duties, working at the Center for Public Safety Leadership and Strategic Legal Partnership. Before joining the university, she had taught law at North Carolina Central University in Durham.

University of North Carolina system leaders launched a review of the deal but later approved her salary while saying a portion of the pay would come from private funds.

Nielsen said the personal stress had become unbearable and he understands that some people will interpret his resignation as an indication the allegations are valid…

For background on Easley, who, unlike the fragile provost, will tough it out for the sake of the money, go here.