Associates vice president resigns, students mourn his loss

By Amy Staples

Associate Vice President of Student Life Joe Fischer resigned suddenly May 9, triggering a wave of emotional responses at Mt. Hood Community College as staff and students alike mourned the loss of a colleague and ally.

Employed at Mt. Hood since 1997, Fischer is well-liked by his colleagues and his students, as was evidenced by the outpouring of emails circulating among staff and the tearful students who gathered to mourn the loss of an ally. Many people spoke of his dedication to student activities and organizations.

Humanities department instructor and Perceptions adviser Jonathan Morrow said, “Joe was a great supporter of the prize-winning magazine, and while we’re not feeling a direct impact from Joe’s departure right now, I’m sure we will in the future.” Morrow pointed to the emails circulating in the days after Fischer’s resignation as proof of his colleagues’ admiration. “E-mails have been circulating on the All Staff list, and all of them have had high praise for Joe’s affability, hard work, dedication to students, and leadership, among his many other traits and skills.”

ASG Director of Communications Stephen Floyd said the students Fischer worked closely with in the College Center are grieving. “It’s as if he died, because he’s just gone.”

ASG President Stephen Emery said, “Out of anybody on campus, Joe knew student issues. He could cite research papers that show co-curricular and athletics keep students in school.” Fischer was a leader and role model for students. Emery said, “He inspired students to lobby, and he knew the laws. He pushed the hardest to get the student senate installed.”

Emery saw Fischer as a man of action and few complaints and called Fischer “the father of the ASG.”

Emery said, “The only complaint I ever heard Joe make was he said ‘I wish I wasn’t so busy so I could spend more time with the students.’ He loved being close to students.”

Paula Cline, bookkeeper and office assistant in the College Center, worked closely with Fischer as well. She said, “Students loved him. This is a great loss for everybody, the entire college, especially for student life and the College Center.”
Cline said Fischer was the best supervisor she ever had, and he is a kind and gentle spirit.

Cynthia Dettman, Transitions coordinator, said, “ Joe will be sorely missed by the Transitions staff. He was an enthusiastic, fair, and visionary leader who had a keen understanding of all the issues that affect our students.”

Speech instructor and Forensics coach Shannon Valdivia said, “The students are still coming to terms with the void that has been left behind. I would say there is a lot of confusion, grief and in some cases anger.”

A decision has not been made about a permanent replacement or an interim while a search is conducted for a replacement.

Until an interim or permanent replacement is made, Emery said students are “hanging in midair,” and mostly they talk to Dick Magruder, student events and center coordinator, about issues that arise in student government.

At Tuesday’s Faculty Senate meeting, Emery made an impassioned plea to the Senate to ask human resources to begin the search for a replacement. Dettman said, “I hope that our areas will have a manager to report to fairly soon to help us with planning for next year.”

Morrow said, “It would take a remarkable person to replace Joe. For his multifaceted position, one needs to have, among other things, a great fondness of and respect for students; an understanding of the importance of student clubs and activities; an ability to lead with grace and respect; and a keen sense of fairness.”

Valdivia said, “I believe that this position needs to be filled in the interim to provide some consistency and stability to the student life area. The person should be someone who understands and has a commitment to co-curricular programs and to the students they serve.”