 Other contentious matters were the size of the fence around the on-campus mansion provided for him by the university, an emergency door installed in California Hall at university expense, an investigation for use of public funds for a personal trainer, and a wrongful termination claim filed by the former manager of University House.On August 16, 2016, he announced his intent to resign after less than four years as chancellor.In 2017, Dirks and his chief of staff, Nils Gilman, dealt with the aftermath of the Trump election, and various political clashes on the university's campus.