Dismissals in Office of University Relations spark student questions

Four staff members from the Office of University Relations were dismissed Feb. 23 due to a change in the administrative structure to support the strategic plan.

Kathy Hughes, former director of marketing communications; Jonathan Zitelman, former web manager and auditorium technical director; Diana Parrott, former graphic designer; and Maria Redd, former graphic designer, were involved with the TLU Web site, various print media (from business cards to billboards), public relations in the form of press releases and the Torch.

Norm Jones, vice president of enrollment and marketing, and Dale Gaubatz, interim executive director of emerging media and creative services, have assumed the responsibilities of the department during the transition period.

The dismissals caused a stir among the student population at TLU leading to a meeting with Ann Svennungsen, president, during her office hours March 1. More than 20 students attended the meeting which led to an email from Svennungsen to the entire student body.

"TLU's supposed to be tight-knit," Jayme Tiemann, senior psychology major, said. "They're supposed to be a community. We're supposed to be a family. TLU is supposed to be different from all the other public and larger schools, and we're supposed to be about the people."

According to the email released by Svennungsen, an audit report released by Elizabeth Scarborough, an expert from SimpsonScarborough, a higher education marketing program, on Feb. 4 initiated the dismissals.

According to Jones, the department is currently in the process of reorganizing and beginning to develop a program that fits in with TLU's strategic plan.

"We're going to look at how we can be more efficient, how we can have quality, as well as making sure that we are investing institutional funds effectively," Jones said.

According to Goal Four of the Strategic Plan, the university has begun to work toward a marketing strategy that clarifies the TLU brand, maximizes social media and alternative marketing channels and seeks maximum public recognition. The layoffs were a result of the need to fulfill this goal.

"[The layoffs were] in response to the strategic plan, that is, in the last two years the board has developed, with lots of input of community leaders etc.," Jones said. "It has to do with recruitment and the overall marketing, building the brand of the institution, based upon that strategic plan."

In working with his new position, Jones has a bright outlook for the future and hopes to put the TLU name out there.

"I'm just looking forward to working with all the internal constituencies in that way, and, as I say, I am here, I am open to suggestions and comments, and I think together we will continue to do the great things that TLU needs and deserves," Jones said.

Editors note: Jalisa Walker, news editor, is a student employee of the Office of University Relations, and Emmalee Drummond, editor-in-chief, is an employee of the admissions office.

As the paper went to press, we learned that Stan Ledbetter, vice president of finance, has announced his resignation, effective May 31, 2010.