Sharon Sobotta wrote an email to Dean of Students and Vice President JoNes VanHecke after her inability to join the Gustavus faculty for personal reasons was announced to the Gustavus community. Assistant Dean of Students Megan Ruble, President Bergman and the Weekly were all copied in that email.

“I am writing to request some clarification both for me and for the Gustavus community,” Sobotta said. “I read that you are disappointed that I will not be joining the community because of personal reasons… I am troubled by that. That appears that I simply changed my mind and decided not to show up.”

Sobotta suggested Gustavus should have communicated her situation more openly to the community. As a single mother and primary caregiver for her two children, Sobotta is unable to leave California until the custody battle is resolved.

“It is not the college’s practice nor would I feel at ease sharing personal information about a candidate. The college is comfortable if Ms. Sobotta wants to disclose personal information herself,” VanHecke said.

VanHecke understands the difficult position Sobotta is currently facing. However, the students need a leader for the Diversity Center as soon as possible.

“Sharon Sobotta couldn’t start on the agreed upon date and has been unable to commit to any particular start date in the future. This was unacceptable to Gustavus… My immediate concern is that the Diversity Center is fully and adequately staffed,” VanHecke said.

The issue of the start date was not the only major question Sobotta raised in her email.

“There is a perception that you were apologetic about choosing to offer the job to me because of the race portion of my identity,” said Sobotta.

Sobotta is a Caucasian female, but the college says her race did not influence the college’s decision in making her an offer.

“After a comprehensive search and based on consensus of the search committee, Ms. Sobotta was identified as the best candidate and was offered the position. I regret that she was ultimately unable to fulfill the position,” VanHecke said.

Sobotta closes her email by reiterating her wish to join the faculty at Gustavus if an extension of her start date could be made. A new search is already underway to find a Director for the Diversity Center.

“We are in the process of hiring a search firm to assist us in building a strong candidate pool and it is my hope that we will have candidates on campus for interviews in November. Typically we move quickly after on-campus interviews in offering a position,” VanHecke said.

If Sobotta were to find out she was able to relocate to Minnesota before a new Director was found Gustavus would consider her for the position again.

“After a comprehensive search and based on consensus of the search committee, Ms. Sobotta was identified as the best candidate and was offered the position. I regret that she was ultimately unable to fulfill the position.”
—Jones VanHecke

“The college would welcome Ms. Sobotta’s candidacy at any time there is an open position for which she is qualified,” VanHecke said.

The college hopes to have a Director of the Diversity Center to guide Gustavus by spring semester.