Bemidji State University removes two deans from roles

Two Bemidji State University academic deans were removed from their positions earlier this month for unspecified reasons.

But they weren’t fired, officials from the Minnesota State system said, adding that they’re still on the payroll and that officials are looking for new jobs for the two administrators.

When Jeffrey Bell and MaryTheresa Seig arrived on Jan. 12, the first day of the spring semester, they were “notified that they would be having alternative work assignments,” said Marah Jacobson, Bemidj State provost.

Bell, who was hired in 2022, was the dean of the College of Sciences and Health. Seig, who was hired in 2020, had served as the dean of the College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place. Neither responded to interview requests.

“While we do not comment on specific personnel matters, we can confirm that the university has made changes in academic leadership involving two dean positions,” a Bemidji State spokeperson said in a statement. “These decisions were made after careful consideration and with the long-term best interests of our students, faculty and community in mind.”

Jonathan Bohn, spokesperson for the Inter Faculty Organization, the union that represents all seven Minnesota State universities, said the situation was unusual.

“I think this would be considered more rare than the typical dismissal or demotion,” he said.

“We are really looking for strong academic leaders to fill those roles on an interim basis,” she said.

After that, academic affairs officials will examine the current structure of leadership and decide how it might change in the future.

“We have a consultative process in place for any structural changes that we would do,” Jacobson said.

When asked why the change was made, Jacobson said she wasn’t able to discuss personnel issues and that officials followed HR protocol and “the guidelines within the administrator plan.”

Bohn said he heard that either Seig or Bell had negotiated tenure into their contract, allowing them to return to being a faculty member. This isn’t uncommon, he said.

“Often the employee is put on leave for a long investigation prior to them being terminated, but it seems in this case they were not,” said Pedretti, whose union includes lab specialists, accountants and psychologists at Minnesota State institutions.