UWM administration confirmed this afternoon that Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Helen Mamarchev was fired yesterday.
According to UWM spokesperson Tom Luljak, Chancellor Santiago chose to let Mamarchev go because it would be in the best interest of the university.
“All vice chancellors serve at the pleasure of the chancellor,” said Luljak. “It was in the best interest of the university to make this personnel change.”
Luljak declined to answer questions about why Mamarchev was fired, telling the Post that it is university policy not to comment on personnel matters.
Rumors first circulated late Wednesday when the blog Panther Talk Live, which is published by Student Association Speaker of the Senate Kyle Duerstein, posted a story that Mamarchev was going to be leaving UWM; university administration did not officially respond to the Post’s inquiries until today. Panther Talk Live also reported that Mamarchev did not want to leave UWM and was going to be provided with a six-month transition window. Luljak told the Post he was unaware of any kind of transition period, but said he did not know the specific terms of Mamarchev’s employment contract.
Dean of Students Jim Hill is overseeing the division as interim vice chancellor.
In a statement released earlier this afternoon, Chancellor Carlos Santiago said he is confident in Hill’s leadership.
“I am confident that, working under Jim’s direction, the excellent management team in the Division of Student Affairs will continue to meet the diverse needs of our students during this transition period,” said Santiago.
Full statement from Chancellor Carlos Santiago:
Dr. Helen Mamarchev’s appointment as Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs has ended.
Effective immediately, Dean of Students Jim Hill is overseeing all activities in the Division of Student Affairs, where he will serve as Interim Vice Chancellor.
I am confident that, working under Jim’s direction, the excellent management team in the Division of Student Affairs will continue to meet the diverse needs of our students during this transition period.
Sincerely,
Carlos E. Santiago
Chancellor
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UPDATE: JUNE 30, 2009 10:15 A.M.
The Post has filed two public record requests regarding this story. Last Friday, the Post requested a copy of Dr. Mamarchev’s latest employment contract. And yesterday, the Post asked UWM to release e-mails between Dr. Mamarchev and Chancellor Santiago. UWM’s public records custodian has not responded to either requests.
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UPDATE: JULY 1, 2009 6:30 P.M.
UWM administration released late today a copy of the employment contract (download here) for former Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Helen Mamarchev.
The contract ended on June 30, 2008 – one year ago yesterday. UWM’s public records custodian told the Post that the university was unable to locate a more recent contract, but it is unclear if that means an updated agreement simply cannot be found or if Mamarchev has not been under contract since July 1, 2008. The Post has asked UWM spokesman Tom Luljak for clarification, but a response has not yet been received.
In the contract, which was dated June 18, 2007, Chancellor Santiago told Mamarchev that he was pleased to reappoint her.
“It is a pleasure to reappoint you to this position,” wrote Santiago. “I want you to know how very much I appreciate your dedication, support and hard work.”
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UPDATE: JULY 6, 2009 7:40 P.M.
Helen Mamarchev was under contract for the 2008-2009 academic year, the Post learned late this afternoon. As reported last week, UWM administration had released Mamarchev’s 2007-2008 employment contract to the Post, pursuant to a public records request, because a more recent contract could not be located. But today, UWM’s public records custodian released Mamarchev’s 2008-2009 employment contract (download here).
The Post will continue to update this story with any further developments.
Jim Hill has been Dean of Students long enough to have a solid knowledge of UWM’s recent institutional history. Rather than outsource, I believe the candidate who would have UWM’s “best interests” at heart is one who has been at UWM for over a decade and has served as Interim V.C. of Student Affairs before.
I’m sure that the former regime would be very happy that Mamarchev is gone, and her bag boy Dean Hill has stepped up into her shoes.
I vote RH for new Dean of Students!
I’m sure that the former regime would be very happy that Mamarchev is gone, and her bag boy Dean Hill has stepped up into her shoes.
I vote RH for new Dean of Students!
I’m sure that the former regime would be very happy that Mamarchev is gone, and her bag boy Dean Hill has stepped up into her shoes.
I vote RH for new Dean of Students!
I’m sure that the former regime would be very happy that Mamarchev is gone, and her bag boy Dean Hill has stepped up into her shoes.
I vote RH for new Dean of Students!
It is unusual to find myself in full agreement with Mr Ohler, we differ on many things. However, in this case i feel that he is right on the nose. Mr. hill is a familiar face around campus, with a deep understanding of how the administration works and needs to work with the students and the student government. I have heard significant criticism of Mamarchev that she never really tried to understand the differences between our system and student governments at other schools. Mamarchevs visible absence at SA meetings was in contrast to Chancilor who is familiar with the student representation process and knows how to handle and deal with a student government with the kind of authority ours has.