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"Some college administrators seem so distracted with fund raising, academic infighting, and community initiatives that they set up their emergency communications departments very poorly. Training is poor to nonexistent, secretaries are pressed into service with tremendous responsibilities for running 'notification systems' 24/7 and on weekends because no one else knows how to do it and the administration won’t pay for additional staff. Procedures are seat-of-the-pants and dependent on HIPPO (highest paid person’s opinion), except when something like Virginia Tech happens and there is some sort of scramble to do something different." --Donna
Most Colleges Avoid Risk Management, Report Says
Jill Biden Shines a Global Spotlight on American Community Colleges
Speaking at a Unesco conference in Paris, the vice president’s wife stressed the importance of two-year institutions to the nation’s educational goals.
Connecticut Public Colleges Lose 200 Professors to Early Retirement
Administrators are scrambling to plug holes in their course schedules for fall, with most expecting to do so by hiring more adjuncts or increasing class sizes.
U. of Georgia Paid 2 Fraternities $2.4-Million to Relocate, Contracts Show
The two were among five with houses on property where the university plans to build new academic facilities.
New Allegations in Admissions Controversy at U. of Illinois Suggest Ex-Provost Played a Role
Linda P.B. Katehi, the incoming chancellor of the University of California at Davis, has insisted she knew nothing of the admission of politically connected applicants at Illinois.
Sonoma State U. Foundation May Lose $350,000 on Loan to Former Board Member
The foundation will be forced to issue fewer scholarships in the 2010-11 academic year because of a diminished endowment, a university official said.
College Suspends Student for Working in Gay Pornography | 58
President Obama's Visit to Notre Dame Carries Barely a Hint of Controversy That Preceded It | 58
Drug Sting Nabs 21 Students at U. of Illinois | 57
Faculty Members and Union Protest Staff Layoffs at Temple U. as 'Cruel' | 57
North Dakota Board's Vote Puts 'Fighting Sioux' Mascot on Thinner Ice | 57
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October 9, 2008
President of Southwestern Oregon Community College Resigns Hastily
Judith M.L. Hansen, president of Southwestern Oregon Community College, resigned on Wednesday, effective immediately. The leader of the college’s governing board described Ms. Hansen’s abrupt departure as the result of a mutual agreement with the board, according to The World newspaper of Coos Bay.
Ms. Hansen had been the subject of recent no-confidence votes, as the faculty had complained about restructuring at the college. The board’s chairman, Lonny Anderson, said that Ms. Hansen had done what the board hired her to do, but that a “different leadership style was needed.” The newspaper reported that the board was expanding its administrative powers.
The college will pay Ms. Hansen one year’s salary and benefits, totaling $148,654. —Paul Fain
Posted on Thursday October 9, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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A college president making only $148k in salary and benefits? No wonder she left with haste.
— palin Oct 9, 03:58 PM #
As a native of the state of Oregon, I hold my head down in shame when I think of the shabbiness with which we support (or not) education at all levels.
— diogenes Oct 9, 04:21 PM #
Sounds like a case of either too many Indians running the reservation or board micro-management. In either case, this school obviously is not a place for someone with any kind of leadership qualities.
— FDC Oct 9, 04:59 PM #
FDC hits the nail on the head. Good luck Coos Bay with any type of reasonable search to fill this presidency with a quality individual. But, maybe that is exactly what you deserve and expect within the current campus/Board atmosphere. Yep, life for Judith Hansen will undoubtably continue, but your “healing” will be long and difficult. The real losers…yes, as always…the students.
— D. New Oct 9, 05:09 PM #
Changing ANYTHING at any higher ed institution is incredibly difficult. Chances are that intertia on the part of the faculty had a significant role to play – but that’s pure speculation.
— ap Oct 9, 06:24 PM #
When Board Chairman Anderson publicly states that Ms. Hansen “had done what the Board hired her to do” it is either BS or the Chair and his colleagues are numbskulls. When a president does what the board asks he/she to do, then an effective board supports its president. The public should demand that each of these very weak board members resign immediately.
— Bill Oct 9, 08:06 PM #
It is clear #5 and #6 did not read the background news articles on this. The Board statements should not be taken at face value. I have seen incompetents in similar leadership positions dumped who received much kinder treatment. While Ms. Hansen’s life may in the words of #4 “undoubtedly continue” it is very unlikely she will ever occupy a significant leadership position again.
— CW Oct 9, 10:35 PM #
FDC, I doubt whether there were too many “Indians running the reservation” at SOSC. What a racist slur. Such language has no place in the enlightened community which we believe we comprise. If you don’t like micromanagement, just say it.
— Martin Oct 10, 08:59 AM #
Oh, lighten up, Martin. It’s just an idiom that means that too many people think they’re in charge. Perhaps FDC should’ve said there were too many cooks in the kitchen, unless that would’ve insulted the Culinary-Americans!
— SB Oct 10, 09:41 AM #
No, SB, it is not just an idiom. It is racist. Its origin is racist. It makes a (negative) assumption about a people’s behavior based on immutable characteristics. Too many cooks in the kitchen says nothing about the intrinsic nature of people who cook. Cooks can choose a different profession. Indians can’t choose not to be Indian. Then there is the whole reservation thing. How funny it is that Americans are quick to point fingers at white South Africans who planned to shove Black South Africans onto “Homelands” when Americans actually did this to Indians in this country. Your lack of enlightenment and shame troubles me.
— Pansy Oct 10, 10:29 AM #
I have seen this before. Faculty members, where ever they are, need to learn how to take direction and critisism. A vote of no-confidence reflects badly on not only the community and college but on them as well. We humans learn as we go.
— Chuck Oct 10, 10:39 AM #
This kind of thing happens in the corporate world as well. The board wants change, but when it happens, they say that’s not what we really meant!
As to the president’s compensation, it is totally off the mark. She’s lucky to get out of there.
— JHB Oct 10, 11:07 AM #
I thought this kind of racism was in other places of gross unawareness. Must be some ignorant people posting on these blogs and I suspect they are not part of higher education.
— Paul Oct 14, 10:16 PM #