By KYLE PRATT
Opinion Editor
The College of Saint Rose will have another administrative position to fill at the end of the semester.
Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities Leroy Bynum resigned from his position, effective this summer, at the same time he was scheduled to take on the role of Interim Provost, President Carolyn Stefanco said in an email to faculty April 4th.
Bynum accepted a position as the Dean of the College of the Arts and will teach voice and opera as a tenured professor at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.
Bynum became Dean of Arts and Humanities at Saint Rose in June 2014. He oversaw programs in music, art, communications, history and political science.
Stefanco praised Bynum for his leadership and wisdom in the email.
“While I regret his departure from Saint Rose, particularly at this time,” she wrote, “His desire to pursue this prestigious professional opportunity is understandable.”
Stefanco was the first person at Saint Rose Bynum told about his opportunity with Portland State.
“She wished me well,” he said, adding that she was gracious, yet disappointed at the news.
Bynum did not have an easy time making the decision to leave Saint Rose. He was initially drawn to the school by faculty and students, he said.
“I have mixed emotions about this,” he said, “It’s just been an absolute pleasure.”
Bynum was set to become Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Saint Rose this summer, replacing Interim Provost Barbara Schirmer, who is leaving at the end of the semester.
“I was looking forward to the challenge,” Bynum said. “I felt an obligation here to help.”
This obligation is part of what made it difficult for Bynum to resign, he said, but he worried he would regret passing up his opportunity.
Stefanco announced in her email her plan to fill the Provost position, which included the creation of a search committee with representation from faculty and students, according to the email.
“We will resume the search for an Interim Provost and VPAA, with the goal of making an appointment as soon as possible,” Stefanco said in the email, “and will ensure there is an opportunity for faculty and administrative input in assessing qualified candidates.”
Bynum’s is the third dean to resign from the College since February. His departure adds him to a list of faculty and administration officials who left the college in the past four years.
Former Dean of Business Suzanna Wilhem resigned February 22, and Dean of Math and Science Richard Thompson is leaving in July.
The exodus began in 2013 when President David Szczerbacki resigned suddenly and immediately left the campus, according to Professor of Psychology Kathleen Crowley.
Crowley, a vocal critic of Stefanco and the administration, provided a list of college officials who have left in recent years.
Two years and two months after Szczerbacki’s resignation, then Provost Hadi Salavitabar resigned suddenly and also left the campus immediately, Crowley said.
Salavitabar became Provost in 2013 under Margaret Kirwin, who assumed the role of Interim President after Szczerbacki.
The departures aren’t unusual in higher education, said Saint Rose Director of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Gish.
Bynum made it clear his decision to leave was based on looking forward and that he is running toward a new opportunity, not away from Saint Rose.
“Had that not come along,” he said of his job offer, “I would still be here.”
Gish spoke highly of Bynum, and called him a prize.
“We had an extremely talented person,” she said, “It’s a good opportunity for him.”
The college has been looking for a permanent Provost for more than a year and half, and will have to find someone to temporarily fill the position in place of Bynum. The school will also have three vacant dean positions.
Dean of Education Margaret McLane is the only permanent dean left on the campus. The School of Business is currently run by an Interim Dean, Gretchen Guenther-Collins, whose term ends in June.
The administration doesn’t think the college is having a hard time filling positions, according to Gish.
“We don’t see any difficulty,” she said.
Bynum acknowledged the rash of resignations and the financial problems that have gripped the college in recent years.
“Saint Rose is in the midst of some very great challenges right now,” he said, “I was committed to help the college overcome these challenges.”
His decision to leave was personal, and the state of the college did not influence it, he said. He believes the institution will survive.
“Saint Rose will be here,” he said, “My life is as long as my turn will last. Who knows how long that will be?”
