[UPDATE: This story was updated on 10/30/13 to include the announcement of the search committee.]

Meghan Harmening | Opinon Co-editor

Dr. Meg McKeon, Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students, has left her position with Buena Vista University (BVU). BVU President Fred Moore communicated the news of McKeon’s departure to the BVU community via an email special announcement from his office last Thursday morning, noting that the change was “effective immediately.”

Moore’s announcement did not indicate the reasons for her departure. McKeon had been in her position at BVU for less than two years, having been hired in early 2012.

In the message, Moore also laid out organizational changes that will remain in effect until a new vice president has been hired and announced that a search for McKeon’s replacement will begin immediately.

Moore announced these organizational adjustments that were immediately put in place:

• Dale Scully, Associate Dean of Students, will serve as the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Scully will be a member of the President’s Council.
• Mark Kirkholm, Director of Campus Security, will serve as the Interim Associate Dean of Students.
• Residence Life, Chaplain, Student Success, Career Services, Student Activities, Civic Engagement and Multicultural Engagement will all report to Scully during this interim time period.
• Security, Health Services, Counseling Services, and Recreation Services will report to Kirkholm.
• Athletics will report to Mike Frantz, Vice President for Enrollment Management.
• Event Services, Sodexo and the Campus Store will report to Liz Merten, Vice President for Business Services.

Moore also reported that student conduct will maintain its current model with the interim administrators serving in the designated capacities. Kirkholm, the Interim Associate Dean of Students will serve as the Chief Student Conduct Officer, and the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, now Scully, will serve as the first appeal.

Scully says he is confident about the Student Affairs Office’s ability to respond well to these sudden changes and does not believe that these changes will affect students’ day-to-day lives.

“The staff in the Office of Student Affairs have always worked very closely together, so for us it will be seamless to delegate duties and be able to best serve the students just as we always have,” Scully said.

No details about the reasons for McKeon’s sudden departure have been released, and both Moore and Scully said they could not comment further on the circumstances of her leaving because the situation is a personnel issue. BVU Human Resources Manager, Meghann Kehoe, also said on advice of counsel that she could not comment about the confidentiality policies that may exist at BVU when it comes to personnel that might prevent administrators from providing more information.

Moore has retained a search firm to assist in the search for McKeon’s replacement, and Moore announced that he will chair that search team. The other search team members include: Vice-President for Institutional Advancement Ken Converse, Professor of English Dr. Annamaria Formichella-Elsden, Professor of Communication Studies Dr. Mary Gill, Assistant Professor of English Composition Dr. Gwen Hart, Student Senate President and senior Caitlin Hoffman, Admissions Director Bridget Kurkowski, Assistant Professor of Physical Science Dr. Lisa Mellmann, and Assistant Director of Facilities Management Andy Taylor.

Moore did offer assurance to the community that services that fell under McKeon’s leadership will continue uninterrupted.

“I thank Dr. McKeon for her service and wish her well. I know that our entire Student Affairs team will pull together to ensure we continue to render excellent service to our students and all conference clients,” Moore said.

Scully echoed this sentiment.

“There should be no changes or interruptions to students. Students are not only BVU’s top priority, but Student Affairs’ priority as well,” Scully said. “It is our job to make sure the same good service continues to be delivered from the Office of Student Affairs.”

Moore indicated that he will update the BVU community as the search for a new vice president progresses.

Photo courtesy of UMC