published on 10/27/06

This Week at Vassar in 1980

Jewett House President and Chairman of the Board of House Presidents Keith St. John suddenly resigned amidst scandal this week in 1980, setting the campus abuzz.
The Miscellany News reported on Oct. 31, 1980 that impeachment threats were largely responsible for St. John’s sudden resignation. It was discovered that St. John had accepted his position as president knowing that he would graduate and leave Jewett after the first semester. This was a direct violation of the Vassar Student Association (VSA) constitution, which specifies that a dorm president must agree to his duties for the full year.

Prior to running, St. John commented that he was “unaware that there was any rule in the constitution.” Yet, after he was elected he became aware of such rules. St. John’s former opponent in the presidential race, Jeff Walach, initiated the proceedings.

Jewett House residents rallied to St. John’s defense, filing a petition with 162 Jewitt residents’ signatures. This was not enough to change St. John’s decision to resign his post.

—Joshua Goodman, Assistant Life Editor

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