Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: News
Ex-Dean appears at conference as questions loom
Sudden exit has admin consultants abuzz as Stetson speaks on AP tests at national conference
Albert Sun
Former Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson attended an annual admissions conference in Texas last weekend as questions swirled in the admissions community about his sudden departure.
Penn officials continue to remain tight-lipped, and those at the National Association for College Admission Counseling's annual conference said the circumstances surrounding Stetson's resignation remain a much-discussed topic.
"People in the community want some sort of explanation," said Jeannie Borin, president of the college consulting firm College Connections.
"It would really behoove [Stetson] to make a statement of some sort as to why he's leaving, and why right at the start of the application season he's decided to leave," she said.
Before Stetson's August departure - which the University has refused to discuss - he was one of the most visible figures in the higher education sector.
"In a profession where people tend to quickly come and go, Lee Stetson was one of those fixtures who had not only been there for so many years, but at a place so prominent as the University of Pennsylvania," said Mark Sklarow, the head of a trade association representing admissions consultants.
Losing such a fixture so suddenly and in such a bizarre and reticent manner has left admissions consultants asking a host of questions.
"He's always been an outspoken [admissions dean], and it's weird that he went out not with a bang but with a whisper," said Michelle Hernandez, the head of Hernandez College Consulting.
Most admissions consultants said Stetson has always been well-liked in the community, making his quick exit even more unexpected.
"People are in the waiting game" to see what happened before they react, said Marcy Roberts, a high-school guidance counselor in Boca Raton, Florida.
Stetson was at the conference to participate in a panel on Advanced Placement courses with Harvard Dean of Admissions Bill Fitzsimmons and two high-school guidance counselors.
Representing Penn at the NACAC conference were Interim Dean of Admissions Eric Kaplan and a delegation of regional directors, according to the Admissions Office.
Those at the conference said Penn's admissions officers fielded questions from curious attendees as to what had happened to Stetson but still refused to comment.
The University has instructed representatives of the Admissions Office not to speak about Stetson's departure, and Penn President Amy Gutmann has only said that the resignation was in the "best interests" of Stetson and the University.
Penn officials continue to remain tight-lipped, and those at the National Association for College Admission Counseling's annual conference said the circumstances surrounding Stetson's resignation remain a much-discussed topic.
"People in the community want some sort of explanation," said Jeannie Borin, president of the college consulting firm College Connections.
"It would really behoove [Stetson] to make a statement of some sort as to why he's leaving, and why right at the start of the application season he's decided to leave," she said.
Before Stetson's August departure - which the University has refused to discuss - he was one of the most visible figures in the higher education sector.
"In a profession where people tend to quickly come and go, Lee Stetson was one of those fixtures who had not only been there for so many years, but at a place so prominent as the University of Pennsylvania," said Mark Sklarow, the head of a trade association representing admissions consultants.
Losing such a fixture so suddenly and in such a bizarre and reticent manner has left admissions consultants asking a host of questions.
"He's always been an outspoken [admissions dean], and it's weird that he went out not with a bang but with a whisper," said Michelle Hernandez, the head of Hernandez College Consulting.
Most admissions consultants said Stetson has always been well-liked in the community, making his quick exit even more unexpected.
"People are in the waiting game" to see what happened before they react, said Marcy Roberts, a high-school guidance counselor in Boca Raton, Florida.
Stetson was at the conference to participate in a panel on Advanced Placement courses with Harvard Dean of Admissions Bill Fitzsimmons and two high-school guidance counselors.
Representing Penn at the NACAC conference were Interim Dean of Admissions Eric Kaplan and a delegation of regional directors, according to the Admissions Office.
Those at the conference said Penn's admissions officers fielded questions from curious attendees as to what had happened to Stetson but still refused to comment.
The University has instructed representatives of the Admissions Office not to speak about Stetson's departure, and Penn President Amy Gutmann has only said that the resignation was in the "best interests" of Stetson and the University.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 22
Steve Maczko
posted 10/02/07 @ 7:18 AM EST
I have a question for the general Penn community.
What do you suppose the search process for a replacement for Dean Stetson is going to be like, given what those members of the admissions community must be thinking about the way Penn treats people? What does that say about the individual who ultimately replaces Stetson?
Would anybody be surprised if Amy Gutmann drew a replacement from Princeton out of her hat?
The sad thing is that this incident is only one of a long series where staff have been mishandled or brutalized in one way or another. (Continued…)
feudi pandola
posted 10/02/07 @ 8:23 AM EST
Comparing the Stetson Affair to that of Vartan Gregorian's non-appointment as President of Penn is quite a stretch. The Gregorian Moment was completely political and he went on to bigger and better things in New York City. (Continued…)
Undergraduate
posted 10/02/07 @ 9:53 AM EST
Bravo to the DP for continuing to cover this one. This Stetson situation STINKS -- something big happened here and it almost definitely has to do with misconduct. (Continued…)
P c/o '07
posted 10/02/07 @ 10:18 AM EST
"He's always been an outspoken [admissions dean], and it's weird that he went out not with a bang but with a whisper," said Michelle Hernandez, the head of Hernandez College Consulting. (Continued…)
An Actual Adult
posted 10/02/07 @ 10:39 AM EST
I'm amazed that people are assuming there is some sort of scandal. People near retirement very often move their departure date up if something anticipated happens too soon, especially if the original date was set with that anticipated event in mind. (Continued…)
An Adult?!
posted 10/02/07 @ 10:45 AM EST
An adult? Gee-golly, please enlighten us kids bout da workins of da world. I mean, only in a children's fantasy would the sudden resignation of one of Penn's (and academia's) most respected figures, under complete silence, without fanfare, a statement of congratulations, or any other sign that he is still respected, be suspicious. (Continued…)
alum
posted 10/02/07 @ 11:24 AM EST
Does anyone remember the farce of UPPD chief Rambo resigning to " pursue other employment opportunities? " He went on to become the security head of famous Susquehana University. (Continued…)
Source
posted 10/02/07 @ 11:43 AM EST
Here's the real story. I can't give any details because it will likely compromise my source. Amy Gutmann will resign before the
the event regarding the new Post Office Complex later this month. (Continued…)
Actual Adult II
posted 10/02/07 @ 11:46 AM EST
I don't know where everyone's manners suddenly went, but last I heard rushing to judgment about something which could simply be a personal decision is very impolite. (Continued…)
Connor
posted 10/02/07 @ 11:46 AM EST
Stetson obviously was involved in some kind of misconduct. Otherwise, there would have been at least some kind words from the administration upon his departure. (Continued…)
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