2008 Woodie Awards
Multicultural director fired, position open
Andy Harper
Issue date: 6/13/07 Section: News
Ralph Metcalf, director of Multicultural Affairs, was relieved of his duties last week, although the reason remains unknown.
"It was a personnel matter," said Gene Fitch, associate dean of Student Affairs and dean of Student Life. "Mr. Metcalf is no longer employed by the university."
Fitch declined comment on what exactly defined the "personnel matter."
Metcalf has been employed at MTSU since 1989. His position remains open, although Colette Taylor, associate dean of student Involvement, will be working with the group of students under Multicultural Affairs until decisions to either find a temporary or permanent replacement have been made, Fitch said.
"Right now we are in the process of hiring an interim director," Taylor said. "Hopefully we will have that done within the next two weeks. We will then be doing a national search for a permanent director within the next six to eight months."
Taylor said the interim director will be hired from within the university.
The release of Metcalf marks the second official from the office of Student Life to be dismissed in the past three months.
In late March, then-head cheerleading coach Jonathan Pursley was also released from his position due to undisclosed matters.
According to Fitch, both incidents are not related.
Renee Hathaway, then-assistant coach, assumed the responsibilities of Pursley while the university sought a permanent replacement.
"As with [Pursley], the university will follow the same procedure of review and hiring for the position in Multicultural Affairs," Fitch said.
Procedure dictates that a staff position like head cheerleading coach or director of Multicultural Affairs will first come under review by university officials.
MTSU will review the job descriptions and responsibilities of the position, adjust any inconsistencies or problems and repost the job, Fitch said.
The procedure takes a few months, but after review, listings for the open job will become available and applicants will be reviewed.
"We don't have a date for when we will be posting the position [for Multicultural Affairs director]," Fitch said.
As for the position of head cheerleading coach, Fitch said applicants are currently being reviewed after the position closed on May 29.
Thirteen applicants are currently under consideration and a decision will be announced in mid-July.
"It was a personnel matter," said Gene Fitch, associate dean of Student Affairs and dean of Student Life. "Mr. Metcalf is no longer employed by the university."
Fitch declined comment on what exactly defined the "personnel matter."
Metcalf has been employed at MTSU since 1989. His position remains open, although Colette Taylor, associate dean of student Involvement, will be working with the group of students under Multicultural Affairs until decisions to either find a temporary or permanent replacement have been made, Fitch said.
"Right now we are in the process of hiring an interim director," Taylor said. "Hopefully we will have that done within the next two weeks. We will then be doing a national search for a permanent director within the next six to eight months."
Taylor said the interim director will be hired from within the university.
The release of Metcalf marks the second official from the office of Student Life to be dismissed in the past three months.
In late March, then-head cheerleading coach Jonathan Pursley was also released from his position due to undisclosed matters.
According to Fitch, both incidents are not related.
Renee Hathaway, then-assistant coach, assumed the responsibilities of Pursley while the university sought a permanent replacement.
"As with [Pursley], the university will follow the same procedure of review and hiring for the position in Multicultural Affairs," Fitch said.
Procedure dictates that a staff position like head cheerleading coach or director of Multicultural Affairs will first come under review by university officials.
MTSU will review the job descriptions and responsibilities of the position, adjust any inconsistencies or problems and repost the job, Fitch said.
The procedure takes a few months, but after review, listings for the open job will become available and applicants will be reviewed.
"We don't have a date for when we will be posting the position [for Multicultural Affairs director]," Fitch said.
As for the position of head cheerleading coach, Fitch said applicants are currently being reviewed after the position closed on May 29.
Thirteen applicants are currently under consideration and a decision will be announced in mid-July.
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