Klein out after brief stint as Journalism chair By Matt Kapko Eye Reporter The Arcata Eye February 11, 2003 The Journalism and Mass Communication department at Humboldt State University may soon see a change in its leadership. The catalyst for this change has been described as a “coup” initiated against the department chair, Craig Klein. The faculty has selected a candidate to replace Klein as chair. The proposal has also been brought to the attention of Dean Karen Carlton of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the administrator responsible for the approval of any such motion. “The decision about who will be the chair of Journalism and Mass Communication next year has not yet been determined,” Carlton said. She did, however, acknowledge “some concerns about the process that was used in deciding on next year’s departmental leadership.” Klein echoed Carlton’s unease, voicing identical apprehensions with the process and added that “those concerns are being addressed.” The department faculty established their anticipated replacement for Klein, yet all except him have been unwilling to comment on the bourgeoning in-house power struggle. Absent solid information, rumors abound as to who the new chair will be, and how he or she attained the departmental leadership role. “As of yet, there are multiple possibilities for who may or may not be the chair of the department, and how they might come to that position,” Klein revealed. One possibility is Mark Larson, who long held the post of department chair until a leave of absence last semester. Klein took over as chair at that time. When asked if he was the candidate favored by faculty, Larson confirmed that as the “tentative plan,” but declined to comment further. Carlton said, “I am hoping to find out what I can before I make a decision about endorsing the candidate put forward by the department.” She explained that her time at present is “overwhelmed by budget matters,” but being the person expected to resolve this sensitive personnel matter, she certainly wants to “know more about what happened” before making her decision. What is clear is that while student input plays a minimal role in the decision, it appears that Klein’s colleagues are less than enthused about his leadership. Unclear are the motives behind that diminished confidence and the effect that will have on future leadership. Home