2008 Woodie Awards
Web Update: Shuffle at O'Bryant draws family; criticism
Kate Augusto
Issue date: 8/1/07 Section: News
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Amid some controversy, Northeastern officials have named John D. O'Bryant's son as interim director of the campus institute that bears his family's name.
Richard D. O'Bryant, who has been an assistant professor in the political science department, will take the reigns from Dean Lula-Petty Edwards, the current director of the John D. O'Bryant African-American Institute.
Ed Klotzbier, vice president of Student Affairs, describes the move as part of a faculty, staff, and student-led initiative to take the Institute in a new direction.
However, senior African American studies major Devin Phillip, who was contacted by the administration after the decision was made because he is an active member of the student body, raised some reservations about the process.
Phillip said he understood both perspectives on the decision, but was concerned that it was made during the summer when many students were not on campus.
"There was no warning, so when students get back from wherever they were, they are going to be extremely pissed," Phillip said. "I just wish the university would be more sensitive in how they handle certain things."
Members of the administration said a recent review process of the institute, which included interviews with students, faculty and staff, suggested "a strong sentiment to enhance the institute's current offerings by enriching the students' experience through research, scholarship, service learning, community outreach and alumni engagement," according to a message from Philomena Mantella, senior vice president of enrollment management and student affairs, on the myNEU student web portal.
Dean Petty-Edwards was not available for comment. Klotzbier declined to expand on why Petty-Edwards was reassigned and said it was university policy not to discuss personnel issues.
In his new role, O'Bryant, who plans to teach one class in the fall, wants to enhance the stability and future of the institute by incorporating more cultural services, research opportunities and academics and has floated the idea of starting a national publication for the institute.
Richard D. O'Bryant, who has been an assistant professor in the political science department, will take the reigns from Dean Lula-Petty Edwards, the current director of the John D. O'Bryant African-American Institute.
Ed Klotzbier, vice president of Student Affairs, describes the move as part of a faculty, staff, and student-led initiative to take the Institute in a new direction.
However, senior African American studies major Devin Phillip, who was contacted by the administration after the decision was made because he is an active member of the student body, raised some reservations about the process.
Phillip said he understood both perspectives on the decision, but was concerned that it was made during the summer when many students were not on campus.
"There was no warning, so when students get back from wherever they were, they are going to be extremely pissed," Phillip said. "I just wish the university would be more sensitive in how they handle certain things."
Members of the administration said a recent review process of the institute, which included interviews with students, faculty and staff, suggested "a strong sentiment to enhance the institute's current offerings by enriching the students' experience through research, scholarship, service learning, community outreach and alumni engagement," according to a message from Philomena Mantella, senior vice president of enrollment management and student affairs, on the myNEU student web portal.
Dean Petty-Edwards was not available for comment. Klotzbier declined to expand on why Petty-Edwards was reassigned and said it was university policy not to discuss personnel issues.
In his new role, O'Bryant, who plans to teach one class in the fall, wants to enhance the stability and future of the institute by incorporating more cultural services, research opportunities and academics and has floated the idea of starting a national publication for the institute.
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