Dean of Students Patty Scott was a little surprised when Judith Hansen resigned Wednesday. But she was much more startled by how the board of education responded.

Board members appointed Scott to head the college on an interim basis in Hansen’s stead.

“I was very surprised when I found out,” she said. “I hadn’t even been contacted by them.”

Scott expected Hansen would remain at the college at least until the Oregon School Boards Association submitted its report next week.

Now, Scott finds herself in charge of a community college with surging enrollment, unhappy employees and financial shortcomings that recently necessitated borrowing $1.5 million.

She will serve in the top job for at least a month, while the OSBA helps the college find someone with community college presidential experience to fill in until a permanent president can be hired.

Scott said she would consult with other campus leaders before making any changes at the college. Already, one of the less popular decisions of the Hansen presidency has been reversed.

Due to the financial crisis, Hansen postponed hiring new staff, which some employees, including Scott, criticized for overworking an understaffed financial aid department.

Scott said the college is soliciting applications for the empty position from campus employees. The plan is to hire someone who works at the college so Southwestern doesn’t have to add another salary to its already tight budget.

“That position directly impacts students,” said Scott. “It really needs to be filled.”

Scott said it was a sad day for the college to lose its president, though she would not fault Hansen for tendering her resignation.

“Given where we were at, it was the right decision,” she said.

— Staff Writer Alexander Rich