We think students, faculty and staff at Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) deserve more information surrounding the sudden departure of beloved Dean of Students David A. Klein.

College officials have been tight lipped about Klein’s resignation and that of Athletics Director Richard Epperson.

From the comments we’ve heard and reported on from students, alumni and former staff, a lack of transparency regarding transitions in top leadership positions is evident at the college.

Students at H-SC felt so strongly about the abrupt resignation of Klein that they took to peaceful protest outside Atkinson Hall during the school’s annual convocation ceremonies on Thursday.

“Last week, Provost (Dennis) Stevens let me know that (H-SC President Larry Stimpert) wished to bring in his own dean of students,” Klein said in an interview with The Herald last week. “And that really is the long and the short of it.”

When asked if we could speak to Stevens, Stimpert or Klein himself, H-SC spokesman Gordon Neal referred us back to the short release on the college’s website, only a few sentences long.

Not only has Klein had a profound impact on the students of H-SC, but the Farmville community as a whole.

Many, including those in Farmville and in Prince Edward County, are left wondering who will be next to resign from their leadership role.

“It hurts,” Klein said of his resignation. “It hurts  … It wasn’t just a job, it was a vocation … It’s been our life.”

It seems to us that many more than just Klein and his wife, B.A., are hurting. The H-SC community seems to be pained over the college’s clandestine actions.