The KSC Student Assembly meeting held on October 21 served as former KSC President Melinda Treadwell’s final farewell and offered some insight into the decision to share a president between Keene State and Plymouth State University (PSU).
Coordinator of Student Organizations & Leadership Keri Lewis intended on joining Treadwell at the meeting, but was unable to do so because of a family emergency.
Treadwell explained that KSC began downsizing on financials earlier than University of New Hampshire (UNH) and PSU due to the predicted drop in students attending the college over the course of the next few years. She said that there’s been a shift in focus to student retention, as well as efforts to bring new students in.
Treadwell said the University System of New Hampshire was deemed too small to have as many “bosses” as it did. She said the presidents were asked to look at different models to determine how things should be handled going forward.
According to Treadwell, the board was on the same page, sharing a mutual feeling of not wanting USNH to take control so they could prevent the other schools from losing their identities.
Another alternative was for KSC and PSU to pull away from UNH, similar to Vermont’s university system, and have the schools be on their own or with the community college system. Treadwell said this would be a risk for the board and school leaders who have to meet the education and financial needs of their students. The decision on what school would get what resources would be up to the state, which could result in one getting more than the other.
It was decided by the board and all three presidents that none of these options were preferable in the current moment. Instead the board agreed in October to test the proposed model of a shared president, which led to them bringing in Don Birx, Plymouth State’s president, who will now serve as the newly appointed interim president of KSC.
“Don is a good man. I trust him. I think he’s a good person.” Treadwell said about Birx. She continued, “I am confident he will fight for the existence of these regional campuses, because he does not want us to lose those three identities [KSC, PSU and UNH]. He doesn’t want us to assume UNH can do everything in the shared services space,” said Treadwell.
Treadwell said Birx plans on making sure KSC gets what they need services wise. Treadwell also said that Birx will have power in the room when addressing the board, because he will now be speaking on behalf of both regional campuses.
In regard to concerns about the two schools overlapping too much, Treadwell said, “I’ve talked with Don about it. We’re two different schools, two different student bodies, two different cultures. All of you represent incredible excellence in who you are and what you do. We’re proud of our liberal arts identity, the programs we offer here, and the success of our students. Our numbers, our retention and graduation rates… We are exemplary in the system. And we will not be seeing a Plymouth State ‘culture’ become the norm of Keene State.”
It was also stated that KSC will maintain some current roles, those being the Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Kirsti Sandy, as well as the Vice President of Finance and Administration Nathalie Houder. The specifics of how their responsibilities would be divided going forward is still being decided, but Treadwell said they will stay the faces of campus for students, faculty and staff.
Birx was described by Treadwell as a brilliant scientist, physicist and engineer who will listen carefully to concerns across campus.
“I told him it’s very important to me that he supports this campus. That we don’t come in here and try to do a whole bunch of dramatic things, because we [KSC] are not in trouble,” she said. She continued, “He frankly needs to be super focused on the legislature, board of trustees, and community college system, so we can get our structure of expenses under control, so we can put more towards the students. And that’s what we’re both trying to do.”
Treadwell shared that she and Birx have spoken about him attending a student assembly meeting, where he would be given the opportunity to talk directly with students and answer any questions about how he plans on running the campuses.
Representative Nathan Hope raised a question of how we could know for certain that Birx will remain committed to both Plymouth and Keene and not show any preference.
Treadwell responded by saying that, if she were in Birx’s position, she would be aware of the fact that her obligations are to both schools, and she would need to represent both of them. She said she would be equally committed to the advancement of them, regardless of what soil she’s standing on, and felt that Birx would do the same.
Birx will be the interim president until the end of this academic year, and the board will then decide if the model works, or if they should test another option or create a whole new structure. If the current model prevails, they would hold a national search for a CEO for both Keene and Plymouth for the 2027-2028 academic year.
“When I announced my stepping down, the conversation was just that we should test this model. If it’s working, and we reach our financial targets for the end of the year as a system, I’d expect the board would say ‘let’s not break anything, let’s go search next year and hire a CEO for both.” Treadwell said. She continued, “If things aren’t working, if shared services are falling apart, the board will have to assess the schools. And that is work we can’t even imagine yet.”
To Keene students, she said, “All of you should feel comfortable in your programs and in what you’re doing. I hope you won’t feel any disruption over this.”
In addition to Treadwell’s appearance, Student Body President Kylie Nelson spoke about Pumpkin Palooza taking place on Oct. 31 from 2-5 pm, and the various available volunteer positions for it. Nelson said that the T-shirts that will be handed out were ready, the pumpkins had been set up and the groundspeople were made aware of the event and are on board.
Speaker Amanda Rotigliano said that the Wellness Center would be guest speaking at a future assembly meeting to discuss changes within that department. It’s been taken into consideration to invite Campus Safety for an appearance as well.
An election was held for the position of member-at-large. Representative Liam Slattery nominated Representative Josh O’Neill.
When giving his speech on why he wanted the position, O’Neill said, “I care about making sure every student feels like their voice is heard. I’ve been involved in many parts of campus life… a lot more than people realize. I’m well aware of how important it is for people that we show up for things. Thank you.”
It was a unanimous vote in favor of O’Neill, and there is a remaining position open for student senator.
After Treadwell’s departure, courtesies for the meeting included the Walk to end Alzheimer’s that took place on Oct. 25 featuring Keene State’s own team and a request for volunteers at Pumpkin Palooza.
The meeting adjourned at 7:29pm.
Samantha Menard can be contacted at
Hope is the managing executive editor of The Equinox and was not involved in the process of writing or editing this Equinox article.
