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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – The University of Kansas has announced the death of former chancellor E. Laurence Chalmers, who led the campus during a turbulent period from 1969 to 1972.

The university says Chalmers died Tuesday in Durango, Colo., at the age of 81.

Chalmers, a psychologist, became chancellor during a period of student protests nationwide. At Kansas, he was credited with keeping the peace after an arsonist struck the student union in 1970.

Chalmers also averted a student strike by agreeing to let students leave for the semester with the grades they had already earned – a move that angered some faculty members.

Chalmers eventually resigned as chancellor under pressure from the Kansas Board of Regents. He later went on to serve as director of the Chicago Art Institute.

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Information from: Lawrence Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com