Like a thunderstorm echoing through the Main Mall of MHCC, a resounding noise, the rumbling of a storm darkened the lives of many active students. When the devastating news of Vice President of Student Life Joe Fischer’s departure swept through campus last week, Fischer’s colleagues and students experienced the gamut of emotions that comes before grief: confusion, sadness, anger.

Amid reassurances that Fischer was indeed gone and would not be returning came the inevitable question: Why?

Unfortunately this is not a question anyone could answer with certainty. Fischer was unavailable for comment at press time, as was Rob Nielson, his boss.

Despite the lack of a real answer for shocked students and staff, faculty members and students have begun voicing their opinions about the vacancy. The Faculty Senate unanimously approved resolutions Tuesday about the filling of Fischer’s position.

Faculty Association President Pat Casey said two recommendations were forwarded to MHCC President Robert Silverman; one was the Senate advocates immediate advertising to fill the vacant position, and another to ask that speech instructor and Forensics coach Shannon Valdivia serve in the interim.

For the past few years, MHCC has seen staff leave and not always be replaced. Removing resources and choices from students through this cost-saving measure, though necessary at times, can only be detrimental to student achievement.

The Advocate would like to add its voice to the growing requests for a search to begin soon for a competent, qualified person to take over Joe Fischer’s duties.

We will never be able to replace “Uncle Joe,” as one staff member referred to Fischer in an all-staff email Friday. But the students at MHCC should not be forced to suffer the lack of a student life ally.