BOSTON (AP) – The Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s board of trustees followed orders Tuesday and reinstated Adm. Richard Gurnon as president, but not without a caveat- a panel will review his powers as head of the state institution in three months.

The state Board of Higher Education, which last week reversed the trustees’ decision to fire Gurnon, said in a statement that it was “somewhat puzzled” by the condition placed on the reinstatement and will look into it further.

The 11-member board, including two new members appointed by Gov. Mitt Romney, met at the Bourne college on Tuesday and voted unanimously to reinstate Gurnon and set up a panel to review his powers. Gurnon said after the meeting that the review was part of a compromise initiated by the new members because some trustees were still resistant to take him back.

The presidents of all 29 Massachusetts-run schools have the same powers, which are delineated by the state.

“I would hope that the powers of the president at the Maritime Academy are no different than the 29 other campuses,” Gurnon said.

The panel is scheduled to report back to the trustees in March.

The Board of Higher Education, which approves the hiring and firing of presidents at state colleges, admonished the trustees last week for abruptly firing Gurnon and reversed his dismissal.

At the time of his firing Dec. 4, Gurnon was investigating claims that a cadet at the military-style college that trains students for maritime careers was offering to pay fellow students to make Internet pornography, but trustees denied that was the reason for his dismissal. Instead, they blamed a combative relationship with the board.

Gurnon has worked at the school for 27 years, including two years as interim president and six months as president. Gurnon said earlier this month he was given an ultimatum – resign or be fired – but never given an explanation for his ouster.

On Tuesday he praised the two new trustees – Marine Corps Reserve Col. William Sinnott and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Dishner – for reminding their colleagues of the academy’s mission.

“The train had jumped the track and was in a ditch,” Gurnon said. “These two helped put it back on track.”

Trustees Chairman Arthur Desrochers could not be reached for comment.

AP-ES-12-20-05 1953EST