Knapik is expected to resign his Senate seat on Friday
Updates a story posted Monday at 6:40 a.m.
WESTFIELD — State Sen Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield, is stepping down after more than 20 years of service to take a new position with Westfield State University.
Knapik, a 10-term Republican senator and member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, is resigning to become executive director of university advancement. The position will require him to work closely with university President Evan S. Dobelle and the Westfield State Foundation Inc., the nonprofit organization that raises money and manages charitable gifts for the university.
Knapik confirmed this morning that he is leaving the Legislature for the new post. He's expected to resign his Senate seat Friday, according to a release issued by Westfield State.
Knapik will assist Dobelle and the Westfield State Foundation, Inc. and will be accountable for working effectively with friends, community leaders, employers, donors and students, according to the release.
“I know of no other public figure in Massachusetts more widely regarded for his bipartisanship and resolute integrity than the senator,” Dobelle said. “I was not involved in this selection process until the search committee presented him as a finalist, and his interview with them and me was extraordinary. His passion for Westfield State and his personal reputation and leadership will bring the Foundation, as we begin our 175th anniversary celebration, to never before seen success.”
"I want to thank President Dobelle and the Westfield State Foundation Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve as executive director for university advancement,” Knapik said. “Westfield State University has played an increasingly important role in our region and our commonwealth, and those who are called upon to assist in its stewardship and advancement have an obligation to ensure it continues to provide unparalleled access for our state’s students."
Knapik currently earns a $75,000 salary plus a $15,000 bonus for being ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Knapik, 50, said he is still negotiating his salary at Westfield State University, but he expects it to be between $95,000 and $110,000.
Knapik said he plans to resign from the state Senate on Friday and begin his new job as executive director for university advancement at the campus on Monday.
Knapik said he accepted the job last week, after considering it since April.
"The timing was right for me, right for my family," said Knapik, who is married with two children, ages 13 and 14. "I'm excited." Knapik said his decision stemmed in part to spend more time with his family. Instead of commuting 100 miles to work in Boston, he will be driving only two miles.
Knapik served on the Westfield School Committee from 1986 to 1990. He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1990 and the state Senate in 1994.
In his new job, he said, in broad terms he will be working closely with Dobelle, helping in fundraising, obtaining grants and working with state legislators and business leaders.
The announcement comes on the heels of the Westfield State University Board of Trustees vote last Thursday to authorize the release of all documents related to a Oct. 12, 2012 university audit to the state inspector general.
The meeting was scheduled by the board to vote on a request by the inspector general for the release of documents related to the audit. The request specifically seeks all draft copies of the audit, all notes and supporting documentation related to “travel, paid leave, employee expenses and reimbursement.”
The audit was performed by a private firm, and campus groups – including the faculty union – have called for its release.
Buzz Hoagland, president of the Westfield State faculty union, said the audit was conducted by a private auditing firm, O’Connor and Drew, at a cost of $50,000 in university money, and members of the university and the public have a right to see what its findings are.
Molly Watson, a communications consultant for the university, said Friday the documents will be released as soon as the college completes its review – a process that could take several more weeks.
Knapik said he expects a special election to be held to fill his Senate seat. Otherwise, the post would remain open until the November election of 2014.
This story was updated at 10:45 a.m. with details about Knapik's expected salary and comments on his reasons for accepting the position.
Reporter Dan Ring contributed reporting