Forestry dean resigns after 1 year

The dean of the College of Forest Resources stepped down Tuesday after less than a year as leader of a department recently plagued by an arson fire.

Many people who worked with Kristiina Vogt find it strange that she resigned after such a short tenure. Vogt could not be reached for comment, but speculations about the reasons behind her resignation abound.

A graduate student in the department, who wished to remain unnamed, said some people -- including President Richard McCormick, who appointed Vogt last July -- may have felt threatened by Vogt because she did her job "too well." For example, Vogt had submitted a proposal to Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Wash., to secure a large federal grant for an interdisciplinary program.

"If only after a year [Vogt] lands a big grant, it would make some other people look foolish," the student said. "Maybe she didn't notify the right people to go after big-time money."

McCormick defended Vogt and said she notified him about the grant proposal.

"Her activity at the federal level has nothing to do with her resignation," McCormick said.

However, the general feeling is that she was asked to step down, according to Nels Hanson, the executive director of Washington Farm Forestry Association. Hanson and Vogt have worked closely, as a result of her efforts to establish relationships with surrounding industries and organizations, including the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

"We were very surprised to hear she stepped down," Hanson said. "We can only guess that it has to do with some internal situations (within the UW)."

Vogt's departure also leaves some in a lurch.

"I was fully anticipating things to continue," said Doug Sutherland, the DNR's commissioner of public lands, who served with Vogt on the state's Board of Natural Resources. "We're going to lose a very valuable relationship."

"I don't know any dean that comes in for a year and resigns," the student said. "I think it's more like she got canned."

Bruce Larson, the associate dean of the college appointed by Vogt, also stepped down Tuesday. Both Vogt and Larson still have faculty appointments and will remain at the UW, according to McCormick.

The College of Forest Resources is divided into two academic focuses. The management and engineering division concentrates on the industry aspect of forestry. The ecosystem sciences division centers on ecology and conservation. Vogt had provided a path to the college in her emphasis on policy analysis, and her efforts to bring together both sides of the sharply divided the college, said the student.

"She gave the college the first hints of vision in a long time," the student said. "Because she has a [background] in ecology, a lot of interest groups were happy to see her in the position."

"She was looking to find balance between the industry and conversation," Hanson said. "Maybe that wasn't looked on as favorable."

In Vogt's efforts to provide direction for the department, the student said Vogt had made many enemies.

"She certainly alienated a lot of the wrong people -- people who would get you fired," the student said. "She raised the big white flag of bullshit at a lot of people who needed that flag to be raised to."

Bruce Bare, a professor of forest resources, is serving as acting dean at McCormick's request.

McCormick and many others agree the May 21 fire set to the Urban Horticulture Center -- a facility operated by the College of Forest Resources -- had nothing to with Vogt's departure.

"As far as I know, she was providing good leadership during the stressful time after the fire," McCormick said.

"I'm not going to comment on her (performance as dean)," McCormick said. "The reasons (for resignation) are between me and Dr. Vogt."