Above photo: Javier Gonzalez (right), coordinator of multicultural affairs, has been notified of his dismissal, which will take effect on April 6. Courtesy of Javier Gonzales
By Jeffrey Waitkevich
USF St. Petersburg is no longer continuing with one of its most recognizable faces.
Javier Gonzalez, coordinator of multicultural affairs, was notified of his dismissal in a March 5 letter from Dwayne Isaacs, director of student life and engagement.
The letter said that the decision was “based on the conclusion that it is no longer in the university’s best interest” to continue with him on staff.
“Thus, this notice of non-reappointment does not constitute a dismissal for cause or disciplinary action,” the letter continues. “But rather the exercise of the university’s prerogative to discontinue its employment relationship with you with proper notice given.”
Gonzalez’s employment with USF St. Petersburg will end on April 6. Until then, his assignment has been “converted to an off-campus professional development leave.”
He has served as coordinator of multicultural affairs and as a Zumba instructor with USF St. Petersburg’s Campus Recreation since November 2016.
He will remain with Campus Recreation as an instructor.
Gonzalez graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2012 and his master’s degree in education in 2014 — both from USF — according to his Facebook profile.
In a Facebook message to The Crow’s Nest, Gonzalez said, “I am currently taking time to focus on personal matters and am grateful for the experiences and opportunities both USFSP and its students have provided during my time there.”
He declined to further comment on his dismissal.
Isaacs and interim Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock also declined to comment.
This article was updated at 9:08 p.m. on March 12, 2018.
