Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

July 26, 2002

Rabideau recommends national search for Greenlee chair

by Diana Pounds
Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Peter Rabideau has recommended that a national search begin this fall for a chair of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.

The recommendation is a response to President Gregory Geoffroy and Provost Benjamin Allen's request for an assessment of the leadership needs of the school -- after a temporary suspension of the department leadership last May, amid allegations of racism.

Then-provost Rollin Richmond suspended department chairman John Eighmey and associate chairman Joel Geske from their posts, but Geoffroy overturned that decision and reinstated them to their leadership positions a week later. Geoffroy also called on Rabideau to assess the school's leadership needs, directions and climate.

"It was unfortunate and unfair," Rabideau wrote in a July 19 letter to Greenlee faculty, "that earlier comments about alleged racism impugned the reputation of John Eighmey and Joel Geske. In my examination of these issues, including talks with all of you, no one suggested that kind of conduct on the part of John or Joel."

Rabideau said that after investigation and interviews with faculty, he concluded that "insensitivity by some faculty" had created a negative environment for minority faculty and that questions about the school's direction (especially, professional practice vs. research) had caused discord.

"We will continue to work together to address these issues, and to reestablish a harmonious environment in the Greenlee School," he wrote. Rabideau's July 19 letter to Greenlee faculty is at http://www.iastate.edu/news/today/02/jul/greenlee.html.