Speculation Begins Over Stetson’s Quick Exit
Although there’s been no official reason given for the abrupt resignation over the weekend of Penn’s long-standing dean of admissions, Lee Stetson, there’s plenty of speculation about what caused it. University president Amy Gutmann hasn’t commented on the departure, nor has Stetson, who’s said to be traveling.
The Daily Pennsylvanian, the university’s student newspaper, is also puzzled by Stetson’s harried exit — just a week ago, the publication ran an interview in which the dean gave no indication he was planning on leaving earlier than scheduled, which, according to his contract, was supposed to be June 2008. Rumors circulating on the DP’s website message boards vary from chronic health issues (one poster said they’d recently seen Stetson on the street, looking ill) to perhaps something more salacious, given how quickly he fled after informing university officials.
So far, Gutmann hasn’t hinted at an investigation, and has said only that she is starting the process to find his replacement. In a year of numerous faculty embarrassments, it’s obvious the university is being very careful this time around.
Stetson makes sudden departure [Daily Pennsylvanian]
