Kathleen Farrell, chairwoman of Saint Louis University’s Communication Department, was removed from her position this month.

“On March 2, [College of Arts & Sciences] Dean [Donald] Brennan called me to the office,” Farrell said. “Interim [Vice President for Frost Campus] Manoj Patankar was asking for my resignation.”
Brennan and Patankar both declined to comment on the matter.

When a faculty member is appointed to a department chair position, his or her term lasts for three years. Farrell still had another year left in her term when she was asked to resign.

“I thought about it,” Farrell said. “And respectfully told Brennan I would not give him my resignation.”
On April 21, Farrell received an official letter from Brennan informing her that her appointment had not been renewed, and that she was being removed as chair of the Communication Department. The letter did not detail why she was being removed.

“I was given no reasons in writing,” Farrell said. “And I have nothing in writing from interim [Vice President for the Frost Campus] Patankar.”

The letter, however, went on to say that she had done a fine job in her position during the years she served. Farrell was the chairwoman during the reconstruction of the Communication Department and during the restructuring of the curriculum. She oversaw the installation of new media equipment, as well as a video studio and the Xavier Hall Collaboration Center.

Farrell noted that, once appointed, administrators could be removed at any time. She is a tenured professor, however, and therefore can stay in the Communication Department to teach.

“My plan so far [is that] I assume I will stay.”

Farrell is being replaced by Robert Krizek, another senior faculty member in the Communication Department. Krizek was appointed by Brennan to fill in as interim-chair beginning July 1. He will serve for the year while the department searches for a new chairperson.

“My interest is to see our department going forward and to continue providing a great education to the students,” Krizek said. “Which is why I accepted the appointment to chair.”

Krizek said that he had no administrative aspirations prior to his appointment, but he took the job out of duty and concern for the Communication Department.

“I’m a schoolteacher, and I hope that comes across in my enthusiasm in the classroom, but since I am a senior faculty member, I felt it was important for me to do my part to help the department.”

Krizek was a part of a group of senior Communication faculty who went to speak to Patankar about the next step for the communication department.

“The conversation was mostly about the direction of the department,” Krizek said. “We were interested in how he saw the future of the department, and wanted to clarify how he wanted us to move forward following [Farrell’s] departure.”

Patankar did not discuss his reasons for calling for Farrell’s resignation in the meeting.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Farrell said about her removal. “I’ve been a clear vocal opponent, which may not be the reason, but it still does not surprise me.”

Krizek, on the other hand, admitted he was surprised by Farrell’s removal.

“In my experience with Farrell, her leadership has been spectacular,” Krizek said. “She’s served with integrity and has been great to work with.”