 "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
As a student active in Student Government, I've always been confident in his decision-making knowing exactly where he stands (not on our side necessarily but with us, with our best interests in mind), that he would be fair and equitable and that we could count on his support and that has never wavered from the first time I met him after he first took over as VP of Student Affairs. I know he's tiredlessly advocated for each and every student (especially me) on our campus whether they know it or not. I cannot help but feel that he's no longer here because of that, because he looked out for student interests like part of his job description calls for because he genuinely cared about us and sought solutions that offered the best opportunities involved.
Finally I can honestly say on a personal note that if it wasn't for the support of Dr. Petersen and how he's consistently handled and dealt with me, I would not be at Meramec still. Despite academic success, accolades and others honors my social skills and interactions with others have at times been lacking and have resulted in unintentional consequences, which I have always owned up to if I was in the wrong and been willing to accept discipline for. I just want to get better and enrich myself with the experiences that St. Louis Community College has offered me when there were no other viable options for me. I've thought it was over for me on more than one occasion because of the errors in judgment I've made and misperceptions I've had but Dr. Petersen always worked with me on finding solutions and reassured me that one day I can proudly say I graduated because I've worked hard for it and deserve it. Too bad Dr. Petersen wasn't given the respect he deserves and has earned by serving us, the students, in the only and best way he knows how and if he's no longer here because of that, shame on whoever made that decision.
downsizing of employees and full time faculty, even though you have an increase in enrollment!!. Been here before, didn't work then either.True leadership understands what is really important, we are there for the student's not for lop-sided leadership whose only jobs are to go to as many meetings as possible everyday, while they wittle away at the bottom, those who work closely to the student's. Yes we need a balanced budget but we are an educational institution, not a fortune 500 company. Dr. Petersen, a person of the people, for the people and by the people.
COLLEGE BOARD - TAKE A STAND WHILE YOU HAVE A CHANCE There are many on Broadway that need to go....