Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: News
Officials still quiet on Stetson's departure
Dean's resignation clouded in secrecy as officers told not to talk
Emily Babay
A month after former Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson abruptly resigned from Penn, those who had close contact with him still continue to refuse comment, having been told by the University not to discuss the situation.
When visited at home and called at home telephone numbers over the past three weeks, every admissions officer has either been unreachable or has referred all inquiries regarding Stetson's departure to University spokeswoman Lori Doyle.
Many school deans and other top-ranking University officials have said they were not told of the circumstances regarding Stetson's departure, which many have noted as extremely unusual.
Doyle said that, as the University's spokeswoman, she is the only official authorized to discuss the issue.
But Doyle has offered little in the way of an explanation for Stetson's sudden departure.
"The reasons for his resignation are private and confidential," she said.
Stetson is widely considered to be one of the most high-profile figures in admissions, having helped orchestrate Penn's rise in visibility in his 29 years as dean.
He announced in July that he would resign at the end of this academic year, but, at the end of August, he abruptly decided to make his resignation effective immediately.
When asked about the reasons behind the date shift, Doyle repeated that the reasons were "private and confidential."
Following the announcement of Stetson's immediate resignation, Penn President Amy Gutmann only said that, due to Stetson's "own best interests and that of the University," it was "best for him to step down now, rather than wait until the end of the academic year."
She would not elaborate on the reasons for Stetson's resignation. Doyle also would not explain how his immediate departure would be "best" for the University.
Stetson did not return calls to his home or cell phone yesterday evening.
When visited at home and called at home telephone numbers over the past three weeks, every admissions officer has either been unreachable or has referred all inquiries regarding Stetson's departure to University spokeswoman Lori Doyle.
Many school deans and other top-ranking University officials have said they were not told of the circumstances regarding Stetson's departure, which many have noted as extremely unusual.
Doyle said that, as the University's spokeswoman, she is the only official authorized to discuss the issue.
But Doyle has offered little in the way of an explanation for Stetson's sudden departure.
"The reasons for his resignation are private and confidential," she said.
Stetson is widely considered to be one of the most high-profile figures in admissions, having helped orchestrate Penn's rise in visibility in his 29 years as dean.
He announced in July that he would resign at the end of this academic year, but, at the end of August, he abruptly decided to make his resignation effective immediately.
When asked about the reasons behind the date shift, Doyle repeated that the reasons were "private and confidential."
Following the announcement of Stetson's immediate resignation, Penn President Amy Gutmann only said that, due to Stetson's "own best interests and that of the University," it was "best for him to step down now, rather than wait until the end of the academic year."
She would not elaborate on the reasons for Stetson's resignation. Doyle also would not explain how his immediate departure would be "best" for the University.
Stetson did not return calls to his home or cell phone yesterday evening.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 19
Alumni
posted 10/01/07 @ 6:20 AM EST
We have a University that always talks about freedom of speech, but then it bans its own staff from exercising their rights to speak about certain issues - how hypocritical. (Continued…)
new guard
posted 10/01/07 @ 9:04 AM EST
What we need now is some good old-fashioned checkbook journalism. Come on, DP ... loosen the purse strings!
Penn Alum
posted 10/01/07 @ 9:50 AM EST
I wonder whether there is any relationship b/t Stetson's resignation and Gutman's soon to be announced resignation. I hear from a very good source that an announcement of Ms. (Continued…)
mike
Penn Alum
posted 10/01/07 @ 9:58 AM EST
I wonder if Stetson's departure is in any way related to Ms. Gutman's upcoming resignation. I hear from a very good source that Ms. Gutman's departure will be announced shortly, probably on or before the celebration/event regarding the new Post Office Complex which I believe is scheduled for later this month. (Continued…)
Voice of Reason
posted 10/01/07 @ 10:35 AM EST
The 2 posts of "Penn Alum", besides being blatant rumor-mongering, are belied by common sense.
First, the celebration later this month to which he/she refers is NOT about the Postal Lands, but is to commemorate the offical kickoff of Penn's multi-billion-dollar capital campaign. (Continued…)
CDformerpennworkerbee
posted 10/01/07 @ 10:51 AM EST
Maybe the Penn Alum is "pre-reading" the April Fools edition.
Source
posted 10/01/07 @ 11:48 AM EST
Stetson left because he was having a relationship with a student. That's the whole story.
Penn Alium
posted 10/01/07 @ 12:24 PM EST
Voice of Reason,
Your logic is not faulty. I cannot explain the reasoning behind the timing of the announcement without jeopardizing my source. I guess only time will tell!
Coverup
posted 10/01/07 @ 12:33 PM EST
Lets have no more curiosity about this bizarre cover up.
Voice of Reason
posted 10/01/07 @ 2:25 PM EST
Penn Alum, I'm still not buyin' it.
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