The abrupt and unceremonious resignation of long-time Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson has left many in the Penn community scratching their heads.
Admissions officers have said they were told by the University not to speak about Stetson's departure and high-ranking administrators claim they were given no information about the dean's resignation.
In yesterday's DP, one senior administrator who wished to remain anonymous was quoted as wondering whether Stetson had encountered either a very serious illness or a very serious legal issue.
The University is doing a disservice to its administrators, faculty, staff and students by refusing to comment on the issue. Their ham-fisted handling of the matter has only invited rampant speculation and left many feeling slighted.
It is certainly possible that the administration - at least those who haven't been left in the dark - has extremely legitimate reasons for being so tight-lipped. Privacy must be respected in certain cases and reputations could be at stake.
But at the very least, they should be forthcoming about why they can't be forthcoming. If the University is trying to protect certain parties then they should explain that.
We deserve something.
