 "Photo: Collin Reischman")
After facing much criticism from students, faculty and staff, Meramec campus President Paul Pai announced his resignation to staff on March 31.
“This morning, I tendered my resignation as Campus President to Chancellor Zelema Harris effective July 1, 2010,” Pai said in his e-mail. “I have let my campus leadership team members that were available this afternoon know before this announcement is made.”
Criticism began shortly after Pai decided not to renew the contract of Meramec’s Vice President of Student Affairs Stephen Petersen, Ed.D.
“I think it’s a great first step that he resigned. I think that there has been too much turmoil on campus. His departure will move us in the right direction,” said Vincent Hayden, Vice President of Communications for Phi Theta Kappa. “It’s not personal, I think he made a smart, professional decision to step down. This will help show [Chancellor Harris] and the board that we do not approve of how decisions are being made, and how Dr. Petersen could be let go.”
In his email, however, Pai said that the reason for his resignation is because his “destination is somewhere else.”
“During my last annual performance appraisal with Dr. Harris, she asked me to stay many more years,” Pai said. “I stated that even though I love our students, faculty, and staff, my destination is somewhere else. It is time for me to pursue another direction.”
“Dr. Pai met with the campus leadership team today. He informed us about this decision, he said he’d ben considering it for a while and that he felt this was the right time. He said he was interested in working in a single campus environment,” said George Wasson, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Meramec.
Pai had left his office for the day, and was unavailable for comment.
Pai stated in his email that there would be a time for him to bid the college farewell.
“Let me reserve that for later,” Pai said.
Stay tuned for further updates as they develop.
18 comments
We are all off the mark. Each of us needs forgiveness and charity. Hard decisions are coming. We must find a way to plan and implement those hard decision in ways that help the campus and college move forward with compassion and care first for the students, then staff and faculty and finally the administration.