 "Photo: Archived Photo")
As of March 1, 2010, Vice President of Student Affairs Stephen H. Petersen, Ed.D., is no longer employed at STLCC-Meramec. Campus President Paul Pai, Ed.D., confirmed that Petersen’s contract was not renewed. Petersen was hired the summer 2008 under a three-year probationary period.
“What I can tell you is that as of yesterday [March 1] afternoon, Dr. Stephen Petersen is no longer employed for St. Louis Community College,” Sharon Holt, Administrative assistant for student affairs, said. “His contract is out at the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. He will be receiving his compensation through that period.”
Under a probationary period, administrative officials can choose not to renew contracts, without any explanation, as long as the notification is sent three months before the expiration of the contract.
Pai did not elaborate on Petersen’s case because it is a “personnel issue.” Pai declined to comment on when the decision to let Petersen go was taken and the circumstances. He did say it was not a “unilateral decision.”
The reason as to why Petersen’s contract was not renewed remains unknown.
“Certainly there’s really not a whole much that I can say,” Pai said. “This is a personnel matter; we need to protect his privacy. Basically he’s gone, I’m confirming that he’s gone. Yesterday was his last day. That’s all I can say.”
Petersen declined to comment at this time.
Pai confirmed that he will be working together with all 14 administrators who directly reported to Petersen in order to split Petersen’s duties.
Steve Brady, director of campus life, is one of those administrators who reported directly to Petersen. Brady said the decision was unfortunate.
“[Petersen] is a friend of mine and a friend to students,” Brady said. “He has been a tireless advocate for student issues.”
Brady said the rest of the administration will work together to keep everything running properly.
“We will work on things as a team,” Brady said. “We will move forward.”
Holt a said that there will soon be a committee in place to find a replacement for Petersen within six months.
Some students are voicing their support for Petersen, who was one of the few administrators who attended Student Government Council meetings on a regular basis.
“To me, Dr. Petersen was an advocate for the students; he was always looking up for their best interest,” said Mike Roman, president of Meramec’s Student Government Council.
Roman said that although Petersen’s issue had not been discussed with other members of SGC, he said he felt other students had a similar opinion about the issue.
“I would say it is highly likely that the student government will let their opinion be known about this officially,” Roman said. “I would say it is highly likely because there have been other members that have expressed the same feelings.”
During the summer of 2008, Petersen was hired as Vice President of student affairs replacing Daniel Herbst. Before his time at Meramec, he worked for 24 years as the Vice President of Student affairs at the University of Central Missouri. He also worked for four years in student development at St. Louis University and Washington University.
Collin Reischman and Andrea Royals collaborated in this story
39 comments
LET'S ALL GO TO THE BOARD MEETING AT THE COSAND CENTER ON MARCH 25TH AT 7PM.
LET'S MAKE A CHANGE TOGETHER: PAI HAS TO GO!!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
On the one hand the chancellor and board are crying about recruitment and retention, on the other they destroy those who carry the load. I cry for the child care center, the children who will not be served, the students who will not be supported in improving the quality of their lives through education here at Meramec, so that their children will have to live with less, or they'll make adjustments and just go somewhere else. That is pretty sad, since community colleges nation wide are bursting at the seams! As many of us know, Dr. Peterson was one of the best things to happen to this campus in a long time. He is knowledgable, professional, highly competent, personable, and caring about students, faculty. staff. He is a kind person, a gentle soul and yet strong enough to have taken on the weight of the burdens and concerns of students and faculty with great respect and diplomacy. I'll be at the Cosand Center March 25th, at 7 pm for that board meeting. Has anyone called the press?