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Martin Venneman claims Hitch chose Karen Palmer McLean over him as interim dean of the college of Science and Health because she was younger and female.
Hitch, now vice president of academic affairs at Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah, agreed under cross-examination Friday that the search and screen committee did not violate any procedures by recommending only Venneman for the post.
She added she had indicated to the panel she “wanted a diverse pool of candidates.”
Venneman’s attorney, James Birnbaum, questioned Hitch’s motives for appointing McLean, especially when the search committee did not initially rank her among the top three candidates.
He also tried to establish Hitch had decided early on to appoint McLean, then associate dean. After Venneman was the only candidate to receive enough committee votes to be recommended for hire, Hitch called for another vote. A day or two after the search and screen committee turned down that request, Hitch offered McLean the two-year contract, said Birnbaum.
Hitch said she thought an interim position was needed because a new dean couldn’t be selected in the short period of time remaining before the school year ended.
“It was really clear that the search and screen procedures needed to be reviewed, and I didn’t want to dive into another search without clarifying what those procedures were supposed to be,” Hitch said.
She cited other reasons for appointing McLean as well, such as her recent university work, including dealing with budget cuts.
“She was also someone who had a lot of experience with the new departments that had been added to the college and had even taught in one of those departments — exercise science,” said Hitch.
Birnbaum then asked whether Hitch was aware of Venneman’s extensive university experience working with budget cuts and in diverse departments. Venneman was associate dean of UW-L’s College of Science and Allied Health from 1992 to 2003.
Testimony concluded Friday in UW-L’s Cartwright Center. Both lawyers are to submit written closing arguments by June 4 and Administrative Law Judge John Brown expects to make a decision this summer.
Venneman, now dean of the College of Science and Health Professions at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., is seeking the UW-L dean’s job plus back pay and attorney’s fees.
KJ Lang can be reached at (608) 791-8226 or klang@lacrossetribune.com.
