In an unexpected move on May 3, the chairman and associate chairman of Iowa State’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication were relieved of their positions.

John Eighmey served as department chair for six years. Under his watch the Greenlee School was established and nationally recognized faculty were recruited. Former provost Rollin Richmond made the decision for the removals in response to vague allegations of racism and the substantiated claim of lack of leadership within the school.

President Geoffroy stepped in two weeks later and reversed Richmond’s decision by restoring the leadership to the school. Both Eighmey and the associate chairman, Joel Geske, were reinstated as chairmen.

After his recent annual review, however, Eighmey voluntarily stepped down from his position. The unproven claims of racism permanently damaged his ability to lead the school.

Since then, the Greenlee school has limped along, still stunned and shaken by all the turmoil. Committees have been formed, facilitators have been hired and faculty retreats have been held – in an effort to strengthen the crumbling bonds between the faculty.

The school is now hoping to launch a national search for Eighmey’s replacement.

A national search for a chairman may just be the key to getting things back on track within the school and forcing the staff to play nice with each other.

By bringing an outsider in, office politics will no longer be perpetuated, allegations of favorites will be eliminated and the task of addressing the heart of the issue – diversity and communication – can be undertaken.

In this case, diversity means more than just ethnicity. In an educational atmosphere, diversity is multifaceted. Age, gender, experience and different disciplines also factor into a more enriching educational environment.

A diverse faculty is essential for the Greenlee School and, more importantly, for its students.

A world of petty salary disputes and inflated accusations is not an environment anyone wants to be in. Unfortunately, these situations develop in almost every workplace.

Open lines of communication, professionalism and respect among colleagues should be strong enough to overcome any issue. This should especially hold true in an educational institution in which leaders are held in high regard and looked to for guidance.

Students learn by example.

In conducting the national search for a department chair, the Greenlee School should bear in mind what it wants to teach its students.