Washtenaw Community College president fires VP of instruction
This story has been updated.
The president of Washtenaw Community College abruptly fired the school's vice president of instruction Thursday.
Stuart Blacklaw was fired months before his contract expired in June. He served in his role since August 2010.
Blacklaw will continue to earn his salary, which is $128,270, until his contract expires June 30.
In an email to the campus community sent Thursday, WCC President Rose Bellanca informed campus that Blacklaw was "relieved of his duties effective immediately," a decision she reached "after long and careful consideration."
WCC President Rose Bellanca
Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com
"As president, building a team with the necessary leadership skills is critical to the success of the college," she wrote in the email.
Blacklaw's firing comes less than four months after the abrupt resignation of the school's chief financial officer, Steven Hardy, in mid-November. It also follows shortly after the school's faculty have expressed frustration with Bellanca and her communication style.
When reached by phone, Blacklaw declined to comment. A request for comment to Bellanca was not returned.
"Personnel changes at this level are within the scope of the president's responsibilities," said WCC spokeswoman Janet Hawkins, who said she has "no information" on the reason Blacklaw was fired.
WCC Trustee Stephen Gill declined to comment on the personnel change, saying the board is kept informed of major hires and firings.
"It's the president's prerogative to hire and fire the people who report to her," he said.
Jennifer Baker, president of WCC's educators' union, said faculty had begun to suspect the relationship between Blacklaw and Bellanca was tenuous and that his contract might not be renewed. They did not expect a firing, she said.
"The faculty are disappointed by the decision. It’s fair to say that there has not been a vice president in my history a the college, which is over 20 years, that has been more respected and appreciated by faculty," she said. "In addition to the action itself, the way in which it was handled is far from ideal."
William Abernethy, who has served as WCC's Dean of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences for the past 12 years, will serve as the interim vice president of instruction. Abernethy worked closely with Bellanca during a recent strategic review of the campus.
He will earn $131,400.
The vice president of instruction acts as WCC's chief academic officer and is in charge of faculty hiring, instructional budgets, course offerings and curriculum approvals.
"I have full confidence in his ability," Bellanca said in the campus-wide email. "He is working on a transition plan that includes learning more about all of our instructional areas and working with deans and department chairs to resolve issues "
In the email Bellanca said she wanted to hire a new vice president for instruction by the 2014 academic year. Hawkins said there is no search planned yet for candidates and declined to say whether Abernethy was in the running to assume the role permanently.
College officials meet with finalists for Hardy's replacement this week and, according to Hawkins, are close to making an announcement about a new chief financial officer. The school is not disclosing finalists' names.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
L'chaim
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 3:41 p.m.
Maybe it should read: " WCC President Rose Bellanca informed campus that Blacklaw was "relieved of his duties effective immediately," aN EXPENSIVE decision she reached "after long and careful consideration."
L'chaim
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 3:43 p.m.
$32,000 plus
Steffetta
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 8:24 p.m.
I hope the BOT wakes up soon. The atmosphere on campus is indescribable. People are either outraged or terrified, or both.
nobleclem
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
That is why all of the good people are leaving the college. I worked there for the better part of a decade and left because no longer did the higher ups respect and value the expertise of the employees. There were still a ton of good things I wanted to work on however with the lack of support and the refusal to fill needed vacant positions vs creating unnecessary positions to support unnecessary VP's, I felt that I no longer could do what I was hired to do. There is a big difference between Larry Whitworth and Rose. Larry valued the employees of the college. Rose thinks she is better than everyone else and that has a trickle down effect on the atmosphere. I know at least one AVP who was promoted to VP had lost some of that umph they had while as an AVP. They looked like they had aged 10 years in 6months.
treetowntenor
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 2:36 p.m.
I will remember this when voting for WCC trustees in the future.
nA2tive
Sun, Mar 17, 2013 : 11:01 p.m.
AnnArbor.com, act on this. Send someone to WCC and talk to both sides! Trustees, it may be against tradition, but go to the campus and Talk to people besides Rose's people. Trustee Jerrigan used to do this and he was respected by all who knew him. It seems that this rebellion has come about because faculty and yes, administrators, are seeing a repeat of what went on under the draconian rule of Larry Whitworth and VP Roger Palay. This is an effort to stop history from repeating. I look forward to seeing more information regarding this issue. Please follow up. Our Washtenaw County gem is being bullied again.
Fritter
Sun, Mar 17, 2013 : 1:26 p.m.
To the Board of Trustees of WCC. Can't you see that Rose Bellanca is doing everything she can to ensure that the information you receive has been filtered by her? She actually convinced the BoT at St Clair to stop talking with faculty there. There are 2 sides to every story and you have a responsibility to investigate the root causes of dissatisfaction at WCC. FYI, administration are scared to speak out for fear of losing their jobs and faculty are outraged by Rose's actions.
nA2tive
Sun, Mar 17, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
AnnArbor.com, act on this. Send someone to WCC and talk to both sides! Trustees, it may be against tradition, but go to the campus and Talk to people besides Rose's people. Trustee Jerrigan used to do this and he was respected by all who knew him. It seems that this rebellion has come about because faculty and yes, administrators, are seeing a repeat of what went on under the draconian rule of Larry Whitworth and VP Roger Palay. This is an effort to stop history from repeating. I look forward to seeing more information regarding this issue. Please follow up. Our Washtenaw County gem is being bullied again.
jcj
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 8:52 p.m.
Finally, with the credentials she needed in hand, Bellanca taught vocational studies at high schools in Clinton Township and Warren. In Grosse Pointe she was both a teacher and vocational co-op coordinator, and at Chippewa Valley Schools she served as a teacher, director of vocational education, and high school administrator. She also taught at Macomb Community College, Wayne State University, and Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Fla., where she worked as provost and chief operating officer before coming to WCC this fall. She hopes that her schedule will allow her to teach at Washtenaw someday soon. Looks like she can't hold a job long. I expect she will be gone from here soon!
intellcity
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 10:34 p.m.
You can't teach H.S. vocational classes for 20 years and then get hired as a community college president. Somehow she managed to work her way up. You can't fault her for that. For all the rest ? ? Is she building an empire or a college ?
Mackinac Straits
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 3:35 p.m.
The President at WCC seems to be struggling building support on campus. I don't understand how this helps her cause or vision for the college.
arborarmy
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.
Has the Snooze asked the following questions of the WCC board of Trustees: 1) Did the board know about her disastrous tenure at St. Clair? 2) If not, why not? 3) If they did, what about that experience suggested she was in any way qualified to lead WCC? If it is not pursuing these questions, If is not upholding its obligation to this community.
sheepyd
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 1:47 p.m.
Diagsquirrel, can you elaborate on these violations. As a daily reader of local newspapers I can honestly say I've never read anything about such violations. If they do exist I'd like to know why AA.com hasn't been covering these Clery Violations as they love to constantly bash UofM and EMU for any mistake they've made. I realize that man of AA.com's writers are most likely Washtenaw graduates but that is no reason to show nepotism toward their alma mater. Has there been investigations into the Campus Safety department's hiring? And lastly, who would want to work for a campus securtity department, I'm sure it's bad enough being a security guard but on a college campus with a bunch of students would be brutal.
Cash
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 1:54 p.m.
http://www.washtenawvoice.com/2013/03/campus-crime-cant-be-ignored/ I'm not sure if the poster Diagsquirrel was referring to this article, but it's possible. (AND it's enlightening) I am a big fan of The Washtenaw Voice. They aren't afraid of anyone or anything! Good reading!
genetracy
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 1:36 p.m.
The president can always fill the position with another fugitve on the run from California.
genetracy
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 1:32 p.m.
It looks like white males are being purged from WCC's staff.
genetracy
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 9:47 p.m.
So what are the problems 1915?
1915
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 4:19 p.m.
Washtenaw, and it's board, has many problems, and flaws. Trust me, sexism is NOT one of them.
arborarmy
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 2:25 p.m.
That is EXACTLY their common characteristic, jimmyjohn
jimmyjohn
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.
The common characteristic between these two VP (according to the people who actually worked with them) is integrity. Apparently integrity is no longer welcome at WCC.
Cash
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 1:34 p.m.
Gene, Steven was not a white male.
belboz
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 1:27 p.m.
This is a community college. I find it odd to be run in such a dictatorial manner that gives none of the community feel, and it gives a horrible model to the kids being educated.
Cash
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 12:35 p.m.
Initiated by the American Society of News Editors, national Sunshine Week was commemorated March 10-16, a week during which the news media has elected to celebrate and inform the public about open government regulations and the right to know. Interesting that the community college that WE the taxpayers fund, thinks we have no right to know who the finalists for CFO are. I wonder why.......................... Maybe if we don't know, we can't ask questions. Trustees of WCC......we are watching. Next election, LOOK OUT!
PineyWoodsGuy
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 4:06 a.m.
Tea Party. Dint yins git it? That is whot this is all abbot.
Basic Bob
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 4:24 a.m.
No. Splain it to me.
Cash
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 12:22 a.m.
"College officials meet with finalists for Hardy's replacement this week and, according to Hawkins, are close to making an announcement about a new chief financial officer. The school is not disclosing finalists' names." Since when??? Since when does our community college hide the name of finalists for the high ranking administrative position of CFO? That is insulting and a disgrace. We need to be sure there's a change in the BOT in the next election. There's something seriously wrong when they are hiding this kind of information.
professor
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 10:36 p.m.
He should ask for a refund from Capella University. I'm sure they promised him lifelong employment in return for a 50K mail order degree.
Fritter
Sun, Mar 17, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
@a2xarob. I believe it's a veiled dig at Stuart Blacklaw. I'm not surprised that it generates a negative score; Stuart was very popular with faculty.
a2xarob
Sun, Mar 17, 2013 : 2:21 a.m.
He Who? What?
professor
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 11:26 p.m.
it's shameful he was hired in the first place!
Nick Danger
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 10:14 p.m.
This is a sad period in the history of WCC Where are the trustees? Aren't they suppose to over see the president work in the best interest of the college?
Fritter
Sun, Mar 17, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
You're right to call them out on this Nick, right now they appear to have drunk the Bellanca Koolaid. I hope there will come a day when they realize that their inaction in reigning in Bellanca is endangering WCCs standing in the community.
Abba
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 9:44 p.m.
Q. Since when is it News that a president hires and fires a subordinate employee? A. When the president is a woman and she fires a man.
arborarmy
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.
The VP Whitworth fired was despised by virtually all on campus. The VP Bellanca fired was respected and admired by virtually all on campus. See the difference?
jimmyjohn
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
The common characteristic between these two VPs (according to the people who actually worked with them) is integrity. Apparently integrity is no longer welcome at WCC.
Fritter
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 1:49 p.m.
You'e comparing apples with oranges Abba. Larry Whitworth didn't fire the last VP of instruction, he moved him back to faculty, probably on full VP pay. I believe that Larry did this partly because Roger was Peeing off faculty. Ultimately the real test is whether the changes the President is making are good for the students of WCC. I think on that test, Bellanca's actions are highly questionable.
Abba
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 9:59 p.m.
Wasn't the last WCC VP fired by President Larry Whitworth? Was that newsworthy? Apparently he had more right to choose his cabinet than the present president?
Gallicans
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 9:50 p.m.
Exactly!!!! I watched previous wcc prez fire every beloved administrator at the place within a year, and how many articles were written: zero!!
red9seven
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 9:44 p.m.
After teaching for more than a decade at WCC, the administrators I truly trusted were Steven and Stuart. And now they are gone in the 'shop clearing.' They truly put students before ego, and demonstrated this in concrete actions. The new president - What were the WCC Trustees thinking? What are they thinking now?
A2comments
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 9:40 p.m.
mid-Novemeber? Does that come after Octwober and before Deesembur?
arborani
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 2:37 p.m.
Yes, just before Thanksgorving.
a2xarob
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 8:57 p.m.
Ms. Bellanca herself was hired as recently as 2011, so her tenure at WCC and his as VP of Instruction (What might be called the Dean, no?) are about the same. Some commenters saw this coming a while ago: http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/ceo-podcasts-conversations-on-economic-opportunity-dr-rose-bellanca/
liekkio
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 9:21 p.m.
Thank you for posting the link.
Gallicans
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.
G
CycleGirl
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 8:48 p.m.
No wonder the staff at WCC is so uptight these days.
1915
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 4:15 p.m.
Correct. Everyone is kind of freaking out. Our biggest fears are for our students. We are deeply concerned they are being left behind to persue the dollars. It makes the faculty sicker than you can imagine. We love, care for, and respect our students very deeply. Our goal in our profession is to send our students into the world knowing and respecting the value of a good education wherever they may go. We can only hope the community we seve pays attention, and acts in it's own best interest.
walker101
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 8:35 p.m.
Your Fired!
G-Man
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 8:27 p.m.
Why not show a photo of the fired dude as opposed to the boss? We have seen her photo before. If one is terminated through firing, isn't that abrupt? How does one become "abruptly fired"? Especially after "long and careful consideration"? What had to be carefully considered? Dude only worked there 2 years, how long was this consideration period?
nobleclem
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 3:07 p.m.
@Kyle Mattson: The Washtenaw Voice has one... you could ask them if they would share it: http://www.washtenawvoice.com/
Cash
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.
Google him...lots of pictures.
Basic Bob
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 4:22 a.m.
Abruptly fired. Except he doesn't need to show up for the next 3+ months but get paid anyway. For most people, abruptly fired means here's a box for your personal possessions and we'll pay you for the whole day.
Kyle Mattson
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 8:47 p.m.
Hi G-Man- Simply we don't have a photo on file of Blacklaw and WCC has not made one available.
USRepublic
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
Quota Dolly gone bad.....
Kellie Woodhouse
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 7:48 p.m.
Since the article was first published, I've added information from my conversations with a faculty member and a trustee.
mr_annarbor
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 7:42 p.m.
Yipes. Whatever is going on there, it sure doesn't sound good. That story about how the board at her previous place of employment was manipulated is especially troubling.
Saline_Wins
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 7:28 p.m.
She will probably bring in someone she knows to fill the position. That is how she does things. She will bring in her own crew from other places she has been fired from. Rumor has it she will be terminated within the next few months.
1915
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 4:07 p.m.
At this point,without Stuart she CAN'T be terminated. She's gotten rid of any and all possibly competent people to stand in her place except for one person that I'd be scared to name since Rose would fire that person, too.
PineyWoodsGuy
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 9:48 p.m.
No way will Rosie be told to depart. The Board loves her! She is simply following new policies adopted by BOT. Duhhh. The lady has a Doctorate, doncha ken? Next step will be to establish afternoon tea parties for BOT.
Carrie Krantz
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.
Here is a link to the story in the student newspaper. They have been doing a great job covering this. http://www.washtenawvoice.com/2013/03/vp-blacklaw-fired/
TheDiagSquirrel
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 6:59 p.m.
Some investigation into the WCC campus Security and Safety department would be interesting, what with the constant Cleary Act violations, nepotism, and highly questionable hiring / firing practices.
DBH
Sat, Mar 16, 2013 : 1:09 a.m.
Clery Act.
VSW2VW
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 6:50 p.m.
I had the honor of working with Stuart Blacklaw, and I can say, without a doubt, he is the most beloved Vice President of Instruction who has held that position in my 20+ year tenure at the college. It makes me sick to my stomach that a man of such quality and integrity was treated in this manner. I love WCC, and I feel privileged to work there, but there something very wrong right now.
Merlin
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 6:45 p.m.
Maybe it's time Rose goes.
Steffetta
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 8:26 p.m.
We can only hope..
YpsiLivin
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 6:44 p.m.
Given the stories that have come out since she took over, the President appears to be a poor communicator exercising a troubled strategy for the College, and who has placed herself at odds with both the faculty and the rest of the college administration. We're now replacing not one but two highly paid executives for reasons unknown. Why is this woman even here?
nickcarraweigh
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
Your guess might be as bad as mine, but how many times does the letter "l" appears in the WCC president's name?
Kellie Woodhouse
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 6:17 p.m.
Yes, sorry for the inconsistency. We should be good now.
DBH
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 6:12 p.m.
The correct spelling is Bellanca, according to the college's website.
Flalaw97
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 5:53 p.m.
She is at it again: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2005/04/21/stclair
Steffetta
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 8:33 p.m.
This is so spot on to the current situation, it's scary: http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20060608/OPINION03/606080321/Demas-censure-speaks-college-s-flawed-leadership "For a couple of years now, the faculty has repeatedly expressed its serious concerns about the poor communication and disservice to students this administration is causing. Other employee groups also are dissatisfied. But our concerns have been ignored and poor decisions ramrodded through a Board of Trustees mostly asleep at the wheel. The president refused to meet with the faculty without her lawyer. It is my opinion Bellanca has created a hostile environment on campus, especially by her insistence for the presence of a lawyer."
DBH
Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 6:15 p.m.
Interesting article, though I am not sure the issues are the same since there is almost no information on what is happening at WCC and why. Also, in the link you provided there is no information on the outcome of the lawsuit that was filed at the time. Do you know what the outcome was?