World File Photo by Alex Powers Judith Hansen plans to submit a letter of resignation as president of Southwestern Community College on Friday. The college board has asked her not to return to campus.

COOS BAY — Eight months of hours-long executive sessions, budget bickering and calls for the president’s resignation at Southwestern Oregon Community College ended in the fastest board meeting of the year.

The board took less than five minutes Wednesday to listen to the terms of President Judith Hansen’s resignation and accept them.

“I believe that following months of working through differences with board members, it is in the best interest of the college that I not continue as president,” Hansen said after the meeting.

She will walk away with a year’s salary and benefits, totaling $148,654, according to Rick Osborn, director of communications. Following the decision, Hansen waited for the board room to clear, shook hands with her soon-to-be former employers and left to deal with her last day on campus.

The college is left with finding a new president.

The board appointed Dean of Students Patty Scott as interim president until a more permanent leader can be found with the help of Oregon School Boards Association. Scott has worked at the college for 16 years and served in her present job for a year and a half.

Hansen, who took the job in 2005, plans to submit a formal letter of resignation Friday. The board asked that she not return to campus after finishing work Wednesday.

Board Chairman Lonny Anderson said it was a mutual agreement.

“Dr. Hansen has done what the board at the time she was hired asked her to do: increase outreach into the community,” he said. “That being done, we need a different leadership style at the college.”

Hansen’s performance as president first became the subject of public discussion following an executive session in February. The board eventually brought in OSBA consultants to interview campus employees about their concerns with Hansen and campus culture in general. College officials expect a final report from those interviews next week, though Anderson said personnel issues in the report will be excluded from the public.

Three employee groups held no-confidence votes in Hansen at the end of the past academic year. Even after those votes, Hansen was adamant she wanted to remain at the college. She said there were too many positive things happening, from increasing enrollment to greater course offerings and online options.

Her thoughts apparently changed Monday, when Hansen’s lawyer contacted the college’s attorney, Roger Gould, about a resignation proposal.

Hansen said the board’s decision to adopt a new governance model at a meeting Saturday contributed to her decision.

“That was an important moment for the board as well as for my leadership,” she said.

Under the prior system, Hansen served as the board’s only employee. All other college staff were the president’s employees over whom she had complete oversight. On Saturday, the board adopted a new system. It now will have the ability to write administrative rules as to how things are done at the campus.

“The president will still be our only employee,” Anderson said. “The board will have more input by having the traditional governance model.”

About an hour talking in private session Wednesday, board members came out in open session. College employees spilled into the room, taking up practically all of the available seats. Board member Marcia Jensen moved to accept Hansen’s resignation and Rick Howell seconded the motion.

As part of the agreement, Hansen will be paid a year’s salary in monthly increments, totaling $134,930. She also will continue to receive health insurance and Public Employee Retirement System payments for a year’s time; all of her unused vacation time; and the option to purchase at fair market value the Dodge Durango she was provided as president.

As Gould read the conditions of Hansen’s resignation, audience members gasped. Hansen appeared calm throughout the meeting.

The board then went into executive session for about 10 minutes to discuss transition plans. Hansen offered to stay, but was told she was not needed and she left.

After that closed-door meeting, the board announced its decision to appoint Scott in the interim.

“I’m looking at continuity,” said Howell.

He noted that Vice President Sheldon Meyer plans to retire shortly and Vice President Valerie Martinez has only been at the college a short time.

“We definitely need someone who has been there and done it,” said David Bridgham.

The vote on appointing Scott went 5-0, with Cherie Mitchell abstaining. Carol Oelke, who participated in the executive session via conference call, hung up following the resignation vote.

Anderson said he expects to have an interim president take over from Scott within four to six weeks.

Hansen said she hopes the past eight months of turbulence at the college will not adversely affect Southwestern’s future.

“I’ve especially appreciated the community response for support of the college and of the president through clearly difficult leadership times,” Hansen said after leaving the meeting. “I urge our college community to continue that support into the future through this leadership transition.”