"Sadly, we have come to the realization that the president no longer has our trust, and there is no longer the unity of purpose between the board and the president, or a clear recognition of his integrity, character and commitment," board chairwoman Patricia Lee said in a statement announcing the termination at about 8:40 p.m.

Lee also announced that regents had unanimously voted to name David McClain as acting president effective immediately. McClain had been vice president for academic affairs.

The announcements came after an 11-hour closed-door session and amidst speculation regents were debating Dobelle's fate.

On the closed-door agenda: the latest analysis of Dobelle's performance and an audit of his $200,000 protocol fund.

Dobelle's relationship with the board had been deteriorating for the past year, with months of bickering over his second-year evaluation.

While both sides said they were putting differences behind them at the end of that process, regents had increased their level of oversight of the university president, his spending, and his administration of the 10-campus system.