Caitlin Portinga

COOS BAY — Judith Hansen’s resignation caused barely a ripple among students interviewed Wednesday on Southwestern’s Coos Bay campus. Many were not aware that employees had issued votes of no-confidence in her leadership or that the college recently borrow $1.5 million to meet payroll.

One of the few students who had an inkling something was going on with the president was Caitlin Portinga, a freshman from Portland.

She said there were rumors among students about misused college money, but her sense was those accusations were false.

Portinga admitted she wasn’t really sure what was going on in the college’s upper echelons.

“I probably should,” she said. “It’s good to know who’s in charge of things.”

Christine Potter, a freshman from Myrtle Point, said she figured the college had some financial difficulties when she almost lost a one-term tuition waiver.

She said she learned her scholarship was at risk a few weeks ago. She eventually secured the tuition, and otherwise has no knowledge of problems in the college’s administration.

“I don’t even know what the president does,” she said.

Most staffers weren’t talking Wednesday and certainly not for attribution.

Campus bookstore Manager Jill Christiana said the administrative issues haven’t really affected students, except perhaps those seeking financial aid.

“Overall the atmosphere is good,” she said.

Jonathon Butt, a senior taking classes through Southwestern’s University Center, said he only learned about Hansen’s resignation by reading about it online. Campus politics don’t generally enter into his conversations.

“We don’t hear about it much as students,” he said. “It doesn’t affect what goes on in the classroom.”

Christiana was the only campus employee willing to speak to the media, which she attributes to lingering paranoia on campus. In her opinion, Hansen’s decision was a good one.

“The trust factor is lost and probably not going to be regained,” she said. “It was time to move on.”

Faculty also may have been leery about speaking to the media because of an e-mail sent to staff asking them to refer all questions to director of communications Rick Osborn.

One student was excited momentarily when he heard the president resigned. He calmed down after learning it was the college president.