NEWS: Carlsen's 2006 Harassment

Portions of this article originally appeared on
The Campus Ledger Online April 21, 2006

Carlsen's unwelcome visits continued into 2006
Female employee says her supervisor knew of Carlsen's visits and still did nothing

by Miguel M. Morales

A new document reveals Teresa Lee, manager, Human Resources, feared the college president, Charles Carlsen, would resume sexually harassing her.

The Ledger obtained a new document describing a visit Carlsen made to Lee's office one month before allegations of unlawful harassment against him became public.

A previous 22-page document described alleged unlawful harassment by the former college president from May to November 2003.

“I am shaking about it”
The new document dated March 14, 2006, states Carlsen came into the Human Resource office where Lee works and sat in her private office until Dorothy Freidrich, then director of Human Resources, interrupted.

"Dorothy came in to say that she had [someone] on the phone and wanted to know if Dr. Carlsen was able to be a part of a conference call," Lee writes in the document. "He made a joke that he didn't like the look in her eye and then said he could.

"He stayed seated in my office after she left ... I thought it odd that he wouldn't just get up and leave."

According to the document, after Carlsen left, Lee spoke to others in her department as she had in 2003.

"I then went out to ask [another employee] what Carlsen had asked her," she continues. "[The employee] told me that he had asked her about [a Human Resources] issue. She directed him to me as she was now out of the loop.

"I told her, 'Gee, thanks!'"

"I am not sure why he is in my office again. He was in last week as well and I let Dorothy [Friedrich] know. I would think that the man would never set foot in my office again."
Teresa Lee, manager, Human Resources

The employee asked if Carlsen was again in Lee’s office with the door closed.

"I told her that it hadn't stopped Carlsen in the past whether the door was closed or not," Lee writes.

Lee also wrote that she thought this type of behavior from Carlsen ended in 2003 after she confronted him about his unlawful harassment. According to information from a previous document, that was the meeting where Carlsen admitted harassing Lee.
"I am not sure why he is in my office again. He was in last week as well and I let Dorothy know," Lee writes in the new document. "I would think that the man would never set foot in my office again.

"I am a little concerned that he is going to start something again. I haven't been keeping track of his visits but I think I will need to start again ... Now I am shaking about it."

“Satisfactorily resolved”
April 13, nine days after denying the allegations of unlawful harassment in The Ledger, Carlsen released a statement resolving to take a leave of absence while a third party investigated the allegations. In the statement, Carlsen again denied the allegations.

"I am deeply distressed by reports in our campus newspaper about a personnel issue brought to my attention two and one-half years ago that I was assured had been adequately addressed and satisfactorily resolved at that time," his statement read.

The meeting Carlsen referred to took place Nov. 14, 2003.

The meeting involved Susan Lindahl, vice president of College Relations and Strategic Initiatives; Friedrich, then director of Human Resources, now vice president; Lee; and Carlsen.

Lee's calendar shows a 10 a.m. meeting with Carlsen that day, which corroborates the date in her narrative.

Lee's narrative describes Carlsen as "uncomfortable" during the meeting. He also admitted that he didn't know why he harassed her.

The document also reveals Friedrich said the college would pay Lee's legal fees.

"My legal fees -- Dorothy said after the meeting for me to submit them to her and we would try to get them paid under consulting fees," Lee writes.

In an e-mail to her attorney that day, Lee writes, "While I was meeting with you the powers-that-be-met with him. We all met this morning and he apologized to me and discussed how we could improve the current procedure for handling this type of problem."
Her lawyer responded, "I am pleased that your concerns were recognized as important. I am also pleased, but surprised, that the issue was addressed by JCCC without a formal complaint from you.

"Pat yourself on the back for standing up for yourself, and for handling the situation professionally and with class. Keep a journal of any further incidents, and stay in touch."

Lee took his advice.In 2004, she documented contacting and meeting with Board of Trustee chair, Elaine Perilla, regarding Carlsen's unlawful harassment. Lee also documented Carlsen's March visit.“Exceeding expectations”
Trustees, including Perilla, deny knowledge of the alleged sexual harassment.

Lindahl and Friedrich have yet to deny knowledge of the alleged sexual harassment or that they impeded the process by not reporting it.

Lee's performance appraisal forms, or evaluations, from fall 2002 to fall 2005 rate her overall work performance as "exceeding expectations."

Friedrich, who conducted each evaluation, noted in the fall 2003 appraisal, "You have a trusting relationship with many supervisors on campus. They frequently seek your advice on personnel matters. I consider this to be a major strength for you and for the division.

"I respect your advice and value you as a colleague. I genuinely appreciate your commitment to our team."

Miguel Goes VIRAL!

The wall outside the JCCC Board of Trustee meeting room features photos of current and past presidents and trustees. Students, staff and faculty call it The Hall of Shame. Watch the video to find out why.

Vote for Miguel Morales for JCCC Trustee April 7

Request an Advanced Voting Ballot here.

Opinion: Lee Leaves JCCC - part 1

Walking on the Ledge:
She taught me that sometimes Walking on the Ledge means standing in truth

I sent an e-mail asking if the college planned to give her a going away party.

I wanted -- I needed -- to stand with her again and we'd celebrate instead of strategize. A few days later, I read the posting on Infolist, the college’s electronic mail server.

FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR TERESA LEE

As some of you may be already be aware, HR Manager Teresa Lee has been offered and accepted the position of director of human resource services for John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Her last day at the college will be Thursday, September 20. To acknowledge and bid her a fond farewell, the HR department will host a reception for Teresa Wednesday morning, September 19, from 10 to 11 AM in GEB 240. Please come by to say goodbye and wish her well.

Of course, we already heard. How could we not know that the woman who made the allegations of unlawful harassment against Charles Carlsen, then president of Johnson County Community College, was leaving?

When the day of the reception arrived, I stood in my bedroom and cried.

I loosened my tie, kicked off my dress shoes and put on my usual college wardrobe of cargo shorts and a t-shirt. I wouldn’t be going to the reception.

I’ve never been good at goodbyes. But I struggled with this one in particular because, I felt it was wrong.

Why should she have to leave?

Carlsen took a leave of absence April 14, 2005 -- the day after my story detailing the allegations broke. He resigned a week later.

Susan Lindahl, vice president of College Information and Strategic Initiatives and Carlsen’s right hand, who admitted knowing of the allegations and not acting on the complaint resigned March 19, 2006.

Elaine Perilla, Board of Trustees chair, who denied knowing of the allegations, did not seek re-election to the board and skipped out on her last board meeting in June.

Dorothy Friedrich, then director of Human Resources and Lee’s direct supervisor, also admitted taking no action after learning of the allegations. Yet since the allegation became public, Friedrich received two promotions. The first made her vice president of Human Resources and the next, announced 10 days ago, makes her Vice President of Policy and Strategic Initiatives. Apparently, she has Lindahl’s old job.

Friedrich, who violated college policy, now oversees the same policy? Why don’t we just hire a child molester to run the daycare center?

It’s disgusting -- and that’s why I stood and cried.

In my 13-month investigation into the allegations against Carlsen, I forged a unique relationship with Teresa. We tortured and supported each other.

I had never experienced that kind of truth with a member of the administration. At that moment, I knew our campus would change forever.

An anonymous source made her the object of my reporting. A 22-page narrative detailing her harassment fell into my hands. A few months later when I finally summoned the courage to take on the story, I asked Teresa about the narrative. She stood in her truth and confirmed its validity. I had never experienced that kind of truth with a member of the administration. At that moment, I knew our campus would change forever.

Over the next few months, I dragged Teresa on to the record because I knew using her name would make the story credible and it would ultimately protect her. I also learned of the mistrust she had for those who betrayed her -- and the college -- when they chose to protect Carlsen. At times, I had to stand in her anger because I was the only safe outlet she had for it.

At times, we frustrated each other but inside we knew that we were really testing one another.

Everyone who knew about Carlsen’s harassment could have stopped him but they didn’t. And when I learned about it, Teresa waited for me to betray her like Lindahl, Friedrich and Perilla had. But I didn’t.

In her, I saw my sisters. I saw the women in my family and my female friends. If this harassment had happened to one of them, who would stand with them and who would betray them?

So you see, I had to write her story.

I stand a better man because of Teresa Lee.

NEWS: Lee Leaves JCCC

Posted today on the JCCC Infolist:

FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR TERESA LEE
As some of you may be already be aware, HR Manager Teresa Lee has been offered and accepted the position of director of human resource services for John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Her last day at the college will be Thursday, September 20. To acknowledge and bid her a fond farewell, the HR department will host a reception for Teresa Wednesday morning, September 19, from 10 to 11 AM in GEB 240. Please come by to say goodbye and wish her well.

NEWS: You really like me!

Ledger earns two more honors
Kudos continue for staff that covered campus controversies

The Campus Ledger, the student newspaper of Johnson County Community College, earned two prestigious honors from two separate journalism organizations for its 2006-07 editions.

Pacemaker Finalist designation from the Associated Collegiate Press. This award, known as the Pulitzer Prize of student media, goes to the top college newspapers in the country for overall quality. The Ledger competes against 14 other community college newspapers for the award presented at the ACP's National Convention Oct. 24-29 in Washington, D.C.

Gold Medalist rating from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The medal rating reflects the judge’s overall score of 945 of 1,000 points, including an All-Columbian, or “best of best” rating, in The Ledger’s reporting and coverage of campus events including the investigation into multiple allegations of unlawful harassment and the search for a new president. The Gold Medalist rating is the result of an extensive evaluation of the entire year’s publications.

The Ledger also earned the All-Kansas award, the top award for college media, from the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press last spring. Over the summer the paper won Best in Show from ACP for overall coverage and design.

NEWS: Perilla Shuns Trustees

Perilla passes on final meeting

Remaining trustees meet, welcome new president

Ending the financial year, Johnson County Community College trustees welcomed new president, Terry Calaway, at their monthly meeting, June 21.

Calaway took the helm June 18 when Larry Tyree departed June 15 after serving 11 months as interim president.

The meeting was also the last official meeting for trustee and former board chair, Elaine Perilla.

"The trustees also recognized Elaine Perilla, who is leaving the board, for her 12 years of service. Mrs. Perilla, who was absent from the meeting, will receive a plaque and a vase," read a posting on the college's e-mail list server that recapped the meeting.

Perilla's pained past
Perilla's no-show ended her term under a campus-wide No Confidence vote that stemmed from allegations that she new of and dismissed allegations of harassment against former President Charles Carlsen.

Carlsen resigned April 20, 2006 a week after The Campus Ledger, JCCC's student newspaper, published its 13-month investigation into the charges.

Trustees acknowledged and validated the claims of harassment against Carlsen in a press statement Oct.19, 2006. Perilla's sole vote against faile to prevent the board from realeasing it.

"Concerning [the victim's] public allegation that she gave her written narrative in 2004 to Elaine Perilla and told Ms. Perilla then about her allegations against Dr. Carlsen, [the victim] and Ms. Perilla disagree about whether these events occurred," the statement reads.

Perilla's history with the college began in 1985 as a biology and anatomy instructor.

After leaving her position, Perilla leveled charges of sexual harassment against the Carlsen Administration. She brought a cartoon that was circulating around campus as evidence.

“I have experienced firsthand the verbal harassment and sexual discrimination of our very elaborate ‘good old boy’ system at the college,” Perilla said during a board meeting June 22, 1992.

After the meeting, Perilla said she would focus on addressing issues of sexual harassment, financial waste and mismanagement in her campaign for a seat on the board. Perilla failed to garner enough votes.

In 1995, Perilla succeeded in securing her seat with the endorsement of the college's Faculty Association.

Twelve years later, the same Faculty Association spearheaded the call for a the vote of No Confidence in Perilla.

"I've done 12 years, and it's time for someone else," she told The Kansas Star.

Current trustees, Lynn Mitchelson and Jon Stewart secured seats on the board in the last general election as did newcomer, Don Weiss, dean of evening, weekend and graduate studies at DeVry University in Kansas City.

Weiss will take Perilla's seat on the board at the next trustee meeting, 5 p.m. July 12 in the Hugh Speer board room, 137 GEB.

Board of trustee meetings are open to the public.

Trust me, I'm a Trustee

Congratulations, Jon!

Sunshine Week: The Sun shines on JCCC

Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, editor of The Johnson County Sun, wrote an editorial this week about my reporting efforts at JCCC:

Students commit necessary acts of journalism at college

by Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, editor

Student journalists at Johnson County Community College deserve credit from the community for the fine work they produced starting about this time last year and continuing into this year.
Miguel Morales, Kevin Mimms and Joshua Seiden led The Campus Ledger’s effort to tell the community about allegations against Johnson County Community College President Charles Carlsen. In so doing, they displayed qualities that make journalism vital in a democracy.
First, during Carlsen’s silver anniversary year, Morales learned that a female staff member had accused him of sexual harassment.
The ramifications loomed enormously.
If not true, a great leader recognized nationally at the community college level would have his honored name sullied for nothing.
But if true, then what?
Should a man who has done so much for the college have his name smeared on the verge of his retirement?
At least some college leaders would have let Carlsen retire quietly and thereby protected the reputation of the college and man in the hope that the whole thing would slink away, regardless of the damage he might have done. There is reason to believe that outgoing Trustee Elaine Perilla favored that approach, though she chooses to say nothing about what she knew and when.
A similar opinion might come from Carlsen’s many and loyal friends. Some believe Carlsen when he says he is not guilty of the allegations. And, perhaps, Carlsen is not guilty, though after Morales’ original report of harassment other women stepped forward to make similar allegations.
For student journalists at The Campus Ledger, just like for their peers in the profession, there would have been many and good reasons to just keep their mouths shut, thereby protecting Carlsen’s legacy as a great leader, keeping campus trustees who fund the newspaper happy, and keeping people who support Carlsen and the trustees happy.
Happy, happy, happy...
But spreading joy and covering up dirt is no more the job of a journalist’s than spreading doom and inventing scandal.
A journalist reports truth in whatever form.
The alternative to honest reporting, student journalists participating in a cover up, would have frightening ramifications for a democracy. These same students, and those like them, upon entering the profession would encounter far worse instances where a cover up might be easier than the truth n that President Nixon authorized burglars to break into the Democratic Party’s headquarters; that President Clinton had “sex” in the Oval Office, though perhaps he had a different definition for the word; and that the Bush administration, at best, used faulty intelligence as a basis for invading Iraq at a cost of tens of thousands of civilian and military lives.
The public needs to know about the failings of their leaders, whether presidents of nations or presidents of colleges, so that wrongs can be righted.
The Ledger staff acted in the highest traditions of responsible journalism to brush aside consideration for anything other than the truth by reporting the allegations against Carlsen.
The results run deeper than Carlsen’s resignation. The public learned that at least one college trustee may have known about the allegation two years before The Ledger’s report, but said nothing; all trustees are not informed when sexual harassment allegations are made; good reporting can lead to retaliation, which seems a plausible explanation for why trustees refused to allow The Ledger to print summer issues; and perhaps the most important outcome is that the women who felt harassed by Carlsen came forward to vent secret concerns and accept vindication.
In a democracy, good journalists, students or otherwise, do not exist to serve those in power, they exist to serve the public, and the student journalists at The Campus Ledger have acquitted themselves admirably as public servants.

The Sun also Rises

It must be an interesting time to be on staff at The Sun.

The editor, Jack "Miles" Ventiglia, has covered the scandal at JCCC and has even written some of the pieces himself. Meanwhile, Steve Rose, a self-proclaimed FOC (Friend of Carlsen), works to protect the status quo.

The same week The PITCH featured me in an article, The Sun nominated me for its annual Johnson Countian of the Year award. Well, they also nominated Chuck Carlsen, and Elaine Perilla ...

Here is part the article:

President Charles Carlsen's 25 years of stellar service to Johnson County Community College and to the community made him a likely candidate to start the year for positive reasons, and the months of unexpected headlines that followed kept him in consideration.

The public just did not expect a man of Carlsen's academic credentials and community stature to become the target of several sexual harassment allegations. Neither did the public seem prepared for how some college board members handled the initial allegation.

Even so, more than a dozen county leaders came out in a public letter in November saying, in essence, that the college needs to move on.

Two others persons related to the scandal also received consideration for Johnson Countian of the Year - Miguel Morales and Elaine Perilla. Morales received consideration because, as a student journalist at the college, he broke the original allegation story. Perilla received consideration because she knew allegedly about the original allegation, but did not tell other board members.

This week, The Sun also ran a week-by-week review of 2006 news. A few bulleted points mention The Ledger and me specifically.

It may not be a full on Smackdown, but what I read tells me there's something happening at The Sun.

THE CAMPUS LEDGER: Perilla's Past

This article was originally published in The Campus Ledger Nov. 2

Elaine Perilla charged administrators with harassment

In 1992, Perilla, a professor, asked trustees to intervene on her behalf regarding harassment of a sexual nature

by Miguel M. Morales

Elaine Perilla, trustee, accused college administrators of harassment in 1992 and used the complaint to run for a seat on the Board of Trustees in 1993.

The Campus Ledger uncovered a June 30, 1992 article in College Boulevard News, where Perilla, then a part-time instructor at the college, cited “employee harassment, financial waste and sexual discrimination” as reasons she decided to run for a seat on the Board of Trustees.
“I have experienced firsthand the verbal harassment and sexual discrimination of our very elaborate ‘good old boy’ system at the college,” Perilla said during a board meeting June 22, 1992.

“It is really difficult to believe you ladies condone such actions. So I assume you are being bamboozled by these slick administrators.”
Elaine Perilla speaking to female members of the Board of Trustees in 1992.

According to another article published July 8, 1992 in the Shawnee Journal Herald, Perilla described enduring “inappropriate” comments about her clothing, gender, marital status and personal finances from college administrators.
Perilla addressed female board members including current trustee, Virginia Krebs, and former trustee, Molly Baumgardner.
“It is really difficult to believe you ladies condone such actions. So I assume you are being bamboozled by these slick administrators,” she said. Perilla showed board members a cartoon that had been given to her.
It depicted a potbellied administrator answering the “The Good Old Boy JCCC Rape Hotline.” The caption read: “Aw, hell girl, you know you was askin’ for it.”
“I can honestly tell you that in my opinion, this is a fair reflection on the ignorance of this board and the focus of the Carlsen administration,” Perilla said at the meeting.
Perilla also told the Journal Herald that her campaign for a seat on the board would focus on the issues she brought to the board at that meeting.
“I will persistently bring the same issues forward,” she said.
Perilla lost her bid for trustee that year but won a seat in 1995.
When asked to comment on her actions in 1992, Perilla said she could not respond without having the article in front of her.
The Ledger then e-mailed the article to Perilla.
“I haven’t been on my e-mail,” she said from her office at the Volunteer Center of Johnson County. “I’m getting ready to go to a meeting. I guess you’ll have to write your story without [me] because work comes first.”
Molly Baumgardner said she did not recall the specific allegations Perilla made during that meeting but remembered Perilla using an overhead projector and that “everyone was appalled.”

“Seems like the 1992 Elaine Perilla was a different person than the 2006 version.”
Stu Shafer, professor of Sociology

Baumgardner said anyone who examined her record as a trustee would know that she was never “bamboozled” by anyone.
“She was very opposed to Chuck Carlsen and his administration,” Baumgardner said.
However, Baumgardner said Perilla’s attitude toward Carlsen changed upon becoming a trustee.
“All the things she was concerned about absolutely disappeared once she was on the board,” Baumgardner said. “But before she even took her seat [in 1995], she made peace and had become good friends with Carlsen and Fred Logan.”
Logan was appointed to the board in 1992. Perilla succeded Logan as board chair in 1997.
Currently, both Carlsen and Logan serve on the JCCC Foundation Board of Directors.
In addition, Logan, who is an attorney, represented Carlsen during the scandal involving allegations of unlawful harassment.
According to the Badger report, Carlsen ceased cooperating with the investigation on the advice of his lawyer.
Stu Shafer, professor of Sociology said he’s seen the Journal Herald article now circulating around campus.
“Seems like the 1992 Elaine Perilla was a different person than the 2006 version,” he said. “How can you trust someone who gets into office by condemning the ‘good-old-boy system,’ then, when she gains admission, participates in the same kind of mismanagement and obfuscation?”
Shafer said that year the Faculty Association supported her campaign.
“She promised to improve communication between faculty and administration,” he said.
Frank M. Syracuse, professor of Economics agrees with Shafer.
“It appears Elaine forgot why she was elected, and she too succumbed to the trappings of power,” he said.
Perilla recently served as board chair and now co-chairs the JCCC New President Screening Committee.

Contact Miguel M. Morales, news editor, at mmorales@jccc.edu

THE CAMPUS LEDGER: Best 'No Confidence' Vote Ever

This article was originally published in The Campus Ledger Nov. 2
'No Confidence' Creates Cohesion

Campus community urges, warns trustees to take note of the vote
by Miguel M. Morales
The woman who ran for a seat on the Board of Trustees with the endorsement of the Faculty Association now faces their wrath.
The Faculty Association successfully launched a campus-wide vote of No Confidence against trustee Elaine Perilla Oct. 26.
The vote of No Confidence accused Perilla of “failing, as board of trustees chair, to act on sexual harassment reports against former president Charles Carlsen” and “using her position to intimidate administrators and other college employees and of contributing to an atmosphere of fear and distrust at the college.”
Four days of voting allowed full-time and part-time faculty, administrators and other full-time and part-time staff to participate.
The vote in favor of the resolution of no confidence broke down as follows:

Full-time faculty members voted 240 to 9.
Non-faculty employees, including administrators, voted 107 to 8.
Part-time faculty and staff voted 107 to 15.

“It falls now to Trustee Perilla to explain herself and her recent decisions, and to initiate a dialogue with college personnel about the steps needed to restore confidence in her stewardship,” said James Leiker, professor of History.
Perilla declined to comment on the vote.
However, Perilla will convene with her fellow trustees and college lawyers in executive session, Nov. 9.
There they will further discuss the multiple allegations of unlawful harassment against former president Charles Carlsen.
Perilla and Benjamin Hodge, trustee, will meet with the JCCC New President Screening Committee Nov. 13.
At the meeting, the two trustee co-chairs of the committee will discuss applicants for college president.
Hodge faces censure from the Board of Trustees for allegedly violating the board’s code of conduct.

“I just wanted to say that the vote speaks for itself.”
Michael Hembree, professor of History

Csilla Dunesky, professor of Science, said Perilla has tainted the search for a permanent president.
“I hope that Ms. Perilla will recognize that her continued position as co-chair of the Presidential Screening Committee is inappropriate,” she said.
Michael Hembree, professor of History, adopted Perilla’s tactic for speaking to the press.
“I just wanted to say that the vote speaks for itself,” he said.

'Guilty by Association'
For many, the No Confidence vote served as a referendum on the entire board.
Tom Bryant, assistant, Carlsen Center Box Office said there may be board members who do not agree with the “overly-vocal screening committee co-chairs” but are hesitant to contradict them.
“Sadly, they are deemed guilty by association,” he said. “There are some who think the current firestorm will cool and just go away. We can't allow that. It will grow and it will fester and unfortunately it may get nasty.”
Bryant said he wonders if any trustee is strong enough to stand up and examine how they collectively fell from grace.
“We must not overlook the other actors and issues involved in the chain of events that have led us into this travesty,” he said.
“As a long-time staff member of JCCC, I totally agree with the no-confidence vote,” said Rita Hartsook, accounting clerk, Financial Services. “If we do not stop this pattern of behavior, what will happen if another incident occurs on campus? More of the same – sweep it under the rug and reward those who participated?”
Duneczky said she hopes to see a change in behavior and a willingness to work with the faculty.
“Where we go from here depends on whether the Board listens or ignores the message,” she said.
“As for the next step, that is largely up to the board members,” said Leiker. “It has been communicated loud and clear that the employees of JCCC are disappointed with present trustee leadership.”

A Call to Action
The discussion of censure and a vote of no confidence appeared on the Faculty Association listserve Sept. 28 and appeared on the blog, http://a-time-for-healing.blogspot.com/, days later.
“I may have been the first to actually suggest a no confidence vote in writing, but the idea had been discussed informally among FA members,” said Leiker. “Same goes for the Ben Hodge censure.”
Leiker addressed comments Hodge has alluded to that the Faculty Association is trying to capitalize on the Carlsen scandal to push its own agenda.
“I think the results of the vote shatter the illusion offered by some that this expression of discontent is merely the work of a few radicals in the Faculty Association,” said Leiker. “Most of the bargaining unit of faculty -- FA members and not, regardless of political affiliation -- turned out to vote, as did many staff, administrators, and part-time employees.”
“The faculty can do what they choose to do,” said Ben Hodge, trustee. “I fully support their large amount of workplace freedoms.
"I hope that they appreciate that they are free to do what, in most workplaces, people are not free to do.”
Both Leiker and Bryant have called on the campus community to take action with their votes.
“Voters in Johnson County need to take notice of this as well and elect trustees who understand the meaning of collegiality and have a proven record of working with educated professionals in a democratic environment,” said Leiker.
“There are more of us than there are of them and we have to keep the issues out there for everyone, both on and off campus, to see,” said Bryant. “An election is coming and we can make a difference.”

An Unexpected Result
While a vote of No Confidence may seem divisive, many on campus say it has actually unified the campus.
“In this case, the vote created community throughout the college, which had been absent to a large degree,” said Betty Bullock, professor of Sociology. “It allowed all college employees the opportunity to voice their concerns and see they were not alone.
“The actual ballot area provided a common gathering place and an opportunity for informal sharing among colleagues we do not often get to see on a regular basis.”
Bullock said in creating solidarity, the vote moved the campus toward healing.
“I wanted to express my feeling through voting,” said Jeanne Walsh, assistant dean of Nursing. “It's important we show as a group the fact that there is a unity among all of us no matter how we vote. I think it's fantastic. I've never seen anything like it in 17 years.”

Contact Miguel M. Morales, news editor at mmorales@jccc.edu

Shame the Devil

Truste me, I'm a reporter.

So the Board finally acknowledged what I've known all along -- that there were other victims.
Too bad it took the threat of me re-launching my investigation to get them to admit it.
But if they think this admission will stop me from getting at the truth, they don't know Miguel.

BOARD STATEMENT: There Were Other Victims

Following the regular monthly meeting of the Johnson County Community College board of trustees Oct. 19, the JCCC board met for more than four hours in executive session with Betsy Badger and Theresa Levings.
At the end of the session, the board voted 4-1 (Lynn Mitchelson, Jon Stewart, Virginia Krebs and Ben Hodge voted "Yes." Shirley Brown-Van Arsdale was absent. Elaine Perilla voted "No") to release the following statement:

STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board is grateful for the voluntary participation of so many in the recent independent review. The review process was designed to encourage open communication during interviews so that the Board could learn the concerns of JCCC employees, take corrective action where needed and move the college forward. We appreciate the efforts of the many people who assisted in achieving this.
Now that the investigative portion of the review has concluded, the Board wants to reiterate its commitment to protect the identity of the persons who participated in the review and to keep personnel matters as private as possible.
The Board does not want to betray those who participated in the review by revealing their names or the personnel matters they reported, but the Board is listening to what they had to say.
The Board also remains firm in its resolve that there will be no retaliation against those who came forward in good faith to participate in the review.
Concerning Ms. Lee’s public allegation that she gave her written narrative in 2004 to Elaine Perilla and told Ms. Perilla then about her allegations against Dr. Carlsen, Ms. Lee and Ms. Perilla disagree about whether these events occurred.
Ms. Lee did not claim that any other Board member had knowledge of her claims, and the five other Board members state that they had no such knowledge.
Any Board member is free to make a public comment about his or her personal knowledge on this subject.
The Board also wants to address questions about the cost of the review.
The 12-page report released to the public is the only written report and represents only a small part of the work done.
As the report states, Badger & Levings’ engagement included “legal analysis, advice and review of other personnel and policy matters.”
Some of the matters that are not included in the 12-page report are details of allegations by other women regarding Dr. Carlsen.
A few women interviewed during the review said that at various times during the approximate period of the late 1990s to early 2005 Dr. Carlsen touched them in a manner similar to that alleged by Teresa Lee.
They said that they concluded that the conduct was not inadvertent or accidental because it was repeated.
A few other women confirmed what they called inappropriate conduct by Carlsen during this same time period but declined to specifically describe the conduct or answer other specific questions about it.
Some of those interviewed provided second-hand information about other women believed to have been the object of inappropriate conduct by Carlsen.
Three of the women identified denied any improper conduct by Dr. Carlsen toward them.
One declined to speak with Badger & Levings, and Badger & Levings was not able to obtain more information about the others.
In addition, another woman said that there were times when Dr. Carlsen stood behind her while she was at her computer and that when he reached over her toward the computer, his arm touched her breast.
Another woman said that she specifically remembered two occasions where Dr. Carlsen stood too close to her and that, upon learning of Ms. Lee’s allegations in early 2004, the woman thereafter avoided being in situations where he could get close to her.
Another woman said Dr. Carlsen gave her a hug on one occasion that was too close and too long. She said she moved back from Dr. Carlsen because he had made her uncomfortable.
Dr. Carlsen cancelled a scheduled interview and ended his participation in the review before Badger & Levings had the chance to ask him about these other allegations.
All these women reported that the conduct occurred during their employment at JCCC.
Their allegations had never been reported to the college under the college procedure or as a legal claim against the college.
Some said they were willing to disclose their own experiences because they did not want Lee to be, as one said, “out there by herself.”
The Board sincerely regrets that it learned about these serious allegations so long after the time the conduct is alleged to have occurred.
Furthermore, the Board is fully committed to supporting the administration in addressing any issues which negatively affect the college’s working or learning environment.
While some may want to know more about the review, the Board is determined to keep details about personnel matters and the identity of those who reported about them as private as possible.
The Board has spent many hours meeting with Badger & Levings during and after the review and will continue to meet with them for as long as it takes to identify any issues that need to be addressed.
Dr. Tyree is an active participant in that process and the Board is grateful for his counsel and the wisdom of his experience.
While this effort required substantial human and monetary resources, we believe the investment is justified and will continue to have value for years to come.

THE CAMPUS LEDGER: Letter to the Community

This editorial was originally published in The Campus Ledger Oct. 19

Walking on the Ledge:I take it all back

by Miguel M. Morales

After quickly reading the 12-page report from Betsy Badger of Badger & Levings, LLC., into the allegations of unlawful harassment by former president Charles Carlsen, I knew I had to take it back.
I reread my story. I reviewed my notes and documentation. I again listened to my recorded interviews. I even revisited the letters Badger sent in May and July asking for those with information to come forward.
All that documentation convinced me to do something I should have done a long time ago -- take it all back.
So after a discussion with the staff of The Campus Ledger, here’s my letter to the community.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

With the authorization from The Campus Ledger I will re-open the investigation into unlawful harassment against former president Charles Carlsen.
Nineteen months ago, we began an investigation into the allegations of unlawful harassment against Carlsen.
The result, published April 13 in The Ledger, launched another four-month investigation costing almost $400,000.
Many who cooperated with Betsy Badger of Badger & Levings, LLC., who the Board of Trustees named as independent investigator have contacted The Ledger saying they felt betrayed.
According to the report, many of you came forward and some provided documentation at your own risk.
“Many we interviewed also said they were reluctant to talk to us because they feared the Board would learn who had made a negative comment about Carlsen or the college. We did not promise anonymity or confidentiality to anyone,” the report reads.
The report also goes on to say the investigators would reveal identities and other information at the board’s request.
Our investigation will offer what Badger’s could not -- confidentiality.
By offering this, we place ourselves at great risk because Kansas does not have a Shield Law to protect journalists from being forced to reveal their sources.
However, The Ledger staff has made this commitment.
Our risk will honor the risk you take in coming forward.
While Badger’s report confirms our original story, it also cites rumor and speculation.
“It appears that Lee enabled the release …”
“One person told us that a Ledger representative stated …”
Another misconception is that The Ledger refused to participate in the investigation.
Not true.
Investigators never asked for information from The Ledger.
In fact, I had to approach the investigators to ask why we had not been contacted.
Badger said she did not want to contact us because she knew I’d want to write about it.
That is far different from what appears in her report.
“We did not ask the Ledger how it obtained Lee’s typewritten narrative because representatives of the Ledger did not agree to speak with us off the record.”
Our report will investigate the culture of fear that, according to many, allowed the incident to happen.
Our report will talk to experts in the field.
Our report will reveal the names of publicly elected officials and their role in the incident.
Our report will reveal what Badger’s report did not.
We need those who participated in the investigation to contact us.
We also need those who did not participate.
I promise to protect you.
We just need to get at the truth.

Thank you

For your protection, do not make contact by using a JCCC e-mail address. Contact Miguel Morales at latinoreporter [[at]] gmail [[dot]] com or Send documentation to:
P. O. Box 4635
Olathe, KS. 66063

THE CAMPUS LEDGER: Campus Smackdown!

This article was originally published in The Campus Ledger Oct. 19

Trustees in Trouble

Faculty Association call for action against Screening Committee co-chairs

by Miguel M. Morales

The Faculty Association has called for action against two of the college’s trustees.
The general membership of Faculty Association announced it will call for a vote of No Confidence in Elaine Perilla, trustee.
“The faculty of Johnson County Community College hereby declares that at the present time it has no confidence in Elaine Perilla as a member of the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees,” the ballot reads.
The general membership also voted to call for the Board of Trustees to censure Ben Hodge, trustee.
“We call on the Johnson County Board of Trustees to censure Trustee Benjamin Hodge for violations of the JCCC Board of Trustees Code of Conduct (Board of Trustees Bylaws, section 114),” reads a press release from the Faculty Association.

"I have a First amendment right to voice my opinion. This is typical of liberals who talk about the First Amendment until you disagree with them.”
Ben Hodge, trustee

“This is moral suasion,” said Vin Clark, professor of History and president of the Faculty Association, acknowledging that the association’s call for action lacks teeth.
“It’s an element of democracy,” he said. “It’s part of traditional academic involvement in collegiate life.”
Clark said he transmitted the resolutions to trustees on behalf of the association and expects to make a statement at the monthly Board of Trustee meeting Oct. 19.
The association’s executive council also voted on a statement of cooperation with board and community in finding and hiring the best possible candidate as permanent president.
The statement says the lack of confidence in Perilla “need not be permanent and hoped that she would take action to restore confidence in her leadership.”
Clark said he hopes that the impaired relations with Perilla and Hodge will be temporary.

Elaine Perilla
The call for the no vote of confidence in Perilla comes a month after the board of trustees released a 12-page investigative report into the allegations of unlawful harassment against former president Charles Carlsen.
Last April, The Campus Ledger published an article describing that Perilla received a 22-page account documenting Carlsen’s alleged harassment of Teresa Lee, manager of Human Resources.
Lee’s narrative, dated Sept. 14, 2005, describes the interaction with Perilla.
“I spoke with Elaine today to ask if she had had a chance to review the documentation I had given her. She said she had,” Lee wrote. “I asked her if she had any questions. She said she did not and that she doesn’t doubt that it is true.”
Lee further described how Susan Lindahl, vice president of College Information and Strategic Initiatives, commented on Perilla’s knowledge of the allegations.
“I spoke with Susan after work, via phone, and voiced my concern,” she wrote. “She said that at least Elaine knows about it so that if Carlsen says he wants to retire, she won’t talk him out of it."
The investigative report which has cost the college almost $400,000 failed to mention Perilla.

"This is moral suasion."
Vin Clark, president of the Faculty Association

The Faculty Association also alleges that Perilla uses her position to influence and intimidate employees.
According to the Faculty Association voting will take place using ballot boxes and paper ballots.
The college declined to let the association use its electronic voting system until the college attorney approved.
“Although the Association maintains its rights to use this system, the Executive Council believed that delay in voting was inadvisable,” Clark said. “It therefore decided to employ the traditional procedure.”
The explanation on the ballot for the vote reads:

“Elaine Perilla has forfeited the trust of the college community by a series of actions and failures to act, which have been instrumental in creating an atmosphere of secrecy, intimidation, and fear throughout the college.”

The vote will take place Oct. 23-26.
The Ledger attempted to contact Perilla. She did not return phone calls up to press time.

Ben Hodge
While the Board of Trustees can employ censure using board policy 114.03, there is no consequence to the action.
“The board of trustees may, after investigation and upon the adoption of written findings of fact, adopt, by majority vote, a resolution of censure with respect to any trustee who violates the provisions of the Board's Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics,” the policy reads.
The Faculty Association contends that Hodge did violate the Code of Conduct.
“At the September 27 meeting, Hodge referred to the 22 people who had previously spoken before members of the presidential screening committee, saying, ‘I wish they were all genuine. I cannot say that I am confident of that,’” Clark said.
Hodge said he finds the call for censure unprofessional.
“I have a First amendment right to voice my opinion,” he said. “This is typical of liberals who talk about the First Amendment until you disagree with them.”
Hodge said he has contacted a lawyer about the legality of the board’s code of ethics.
“I’m reviewing it to see if the policy is unconstitutional,” he said.
Hodge said the heart of the matter comes to the Screening Committee.

The call to slow down the search process is an attempt by the Faculty Association to interrupt the process because members didn’t get their way, he said.
“Vin Clark wants to be exclusive,” Hodge said. “These calls to slow the process didn’t occur until late September.
“I find it hypocritical. It’s perfectly legal.”
Of Perilla, Hodge said the call for her to step down as board chair should have come earlier.
“She was president for too long,” he said.

Screening Committee Response
Both Perilla and Hodge co-chair the JCCC New President Screening Committee.
The committee has faced internal and external challenges to its charge.
During several open forums, members of the campus community asked that committee slow down the search process and immediately hire interim president Larry Tyree as the short-term permanent president.
The entire Search Committee became aware of these pleas at its first meeting and open forum, Sept. 25.

“These two people already have an idea of what they want in a president and are trying to convince the rest of us.”
Phillip Newton, student senator

John Hanysz, administrative assistant in Student Services and Screening Committee representative, said it is too soon to determine what the call for action by the Faculty Association will have on the committee.
However he said he will start taking a different approach.
“I will definitely speak up from now on when matters call for me to do so,” he said. “I’m not going to be intimidated anymore by the people or the process.”
Philip Newton, student senator and student representative on the committee, said the Faculty Association’s actions will have “a big effect.”
He said these actions will allow Screening Committee members to openly question the motives and actions of the co-chairs.
“These two people already have an idea of what they want in a president and are trying to convince the rest of us,” he said.
Newton also said he expects the contention between committee members and the co-chairs to escalate by the next Screening Committee meeting in Nov. 13.

Contact Miguel M. Morales, news editor, at mmorales@jccc.edu

Perilla Picks Prez

THE CAMPUS LEDGER: Stop the Search

This staff editorial was originally published in The Campus Ledger Sept. 28

Letter to the Board of Trustees

EDITORIAL BOARD NOTE: The Ledger has prepared this letter for those involved in the campus community to petition the board. We urge readers to tear this page out and deliver it to the president’s office in GEB 112 in person or via interoffice mail (Box 1) or through the US Postal Service.

Board of Trustees:

We call on you, as our elected representatives, to name Larry Tyree president of Johnson County Community College immediately.
We call for an immediate suspension on the search for a permanent president.
We also call on an inquiry into controversy regarding the composition of the Screening Committee as made public by the Faculty Association during the Sept. 21 Board of Trustee meeting.
Later in the meeting, Elaine Perilla, trustee, described how she picked the members of the Screening Committee.
However she omitted that the JCCC Foundation has four individuals involved in the committee making it the largest represented body from any division. Foundation board members include Jill Gerlach who represents the JCCC Foundation; Kansas Senator Nick Jordan; Sam Turner of Shawnee Mission Medical Center; and the college’s attorney, Mark Ferguson of Lathrop & Gage.
Before trustees approved the members of the Screening Committee, committee members already received letters discussing their charge. However, these letters did not come in JCCC envelopes but in envelopes from Perilla’s organization, the Volunteer Center of Johnson County.
Given Perilla’s refusal to offer full disclosure and the unprofessional overlaps between her various community roles, we call for Perilla to step down from the Screening Committee.
We also call for Benjamin Hodge to step down.
Hodge’s political grandstanding and confrontational behavior during public forums and open meetings incites hostility and divides our newly unified campus.
The board previously announced that a permanent vice president of Student Services position would not be filled until we hired a permanent president. The surprise appointment of Dennis Day, who served as interim in that position, demonstrates the board’s ability to offer Tyree the presidency immediately.
The unanimous clamor for Tyree surfaced at the Sept. 25 open forum and it continues with a flood of e-mail messages.
Trustees will betray the democratic process that elected them should they deny these pleas.
Lets face it, Tyree’s resume and actions would have earned him this job had Carlsen retired under normal circumstances.
With the current tension between the board and faculty, staff and students, the board must understand that we already have a president.

Sincerely,

A member of the JCCC campus community

THE CAMPUS LEDGER: Report Released

Campus reacts to Badger’s report

Many question the report’s validity due to unanswered questions

by Miguel M. Morales

Terese Lee, manager of Human Resources, said she never should have participated in the independent investigation.
“Originally, I wasn’t even going to participate in the ‘investigation,’” she said.

"I had no confidence in the process."

Teresa Lee, manager of Human Resources

Lee said she felt it wouldn’t matter what she had to say because certain individuals under investigation regularly attended closed Executive Sessions.
“I had no confidence in the process,” Lee said. She also said many people who participated in the investigation offered her feedback. Lee was pleased with the questions Badger asked and consented to the interview.
Lee attended the Board of Trustees meeting Sept. 21 to receive her own copy of Badger’s report.
After reviewing the report, Lee said crucial information individuals provided concerning the allegations never came to light.
“I guess I should have gone with my initial instinct -- but at least I tried,” she said. Lee comments those who came forward.
“The courage you have is to be commended,” she said.

The Report
As of noon, Sept 27 the report had been accessed 1,425 times, according to College Information.
The Board of Trustees accepted and released the report Aug. 21 during its monthly meeting with the college simultaneously posting it online.
The report commissioned buy the Board of Trustees in May investigated the public allegations of sexual harassment against former president Charles Carlsen.
Arriving late for the meeting, Badger offered only one statement.
“Thank you for the opportunity to deliver the report tonight,” she said prior to distributing the report to trustees.
Three minutes later she was gone.
The 12-page report costing over $377,000 described accounts originally published in The Campus Ledger, April 13.
The report, as cited in its introduction, lists three primary tasks. First, Badger was to review, provide legal analysis and advice about matters related to Lee’s allegations against Carlsen. Second she was to communicate with and provide analysis and legal advice to representatives of the Board of Trustees about the allegation. Third, she was to review and provide legal advice and analysis “of other personnel and policy matters not included here.”
According to Badger’s report Carlsen refused to continue cooperating with the investigation that month.
“On July 13, 2006, Carlsen suspended his participation in our review and cancelled a scheduled second interview with us on advice from his legal counsel.”
This came in contrast to his April 13, statement announcing his leave of absence.
“Be assured I am intensely interested in clearing the air on this matter and that just as I am comfortable with my professional conduct, I do pledge my full cooperation in the independent analysis that I am asking to be commissioned by the board.”

The Reaction
While campus reaction varied from what some on the campus listserve called “the Badger leaflet” to a call for replacing trustees up for reelection in the spring.
Others said the board reneged on its promise.
“It’s a promise the board made to the public who paid for the report,” said Eileen O’Neill, administrative assistant in the Carlsen Center.
The Ledger submitted a Kansas Open Records Act request for additional information on the report. The board’s attorney, Mark Ferguson of Lathrop & Gage, denied the request citing that “these records represent and constitute the work product of an attorney.”
“I just don’t see how this institution can possibly ever recover,” O’niell said. “Our integrity is being called into question. Where are the checks and balances if the board isn’t going to be public with that information?”
Mike Martin, professor of Mathematics and vice president of the Faculty Association, questioned the omission of trustee Elaine Perilla’s name in the report.
“At the board meeting it was said that all previous published allegations would be addressed by the Badger report, yet those allegations involving the board members’ knowledge were not addressed,” he wrote in a letter to trustees the next day. “The allegations directly involve Elaine Perilla, co-chair of the screening committee, and resolving her level of involvement would allow the screening committee to more effectively do its work.”
Martin also said like others on campus, he is pledged to the college.
“But it pains me to do so in this environment,” he wrote. “I know the faculty will be suspect as this goes forward and that is healthy for no one. Can this be quickly resolved? It was my anticipation that it would have been done so by now.

“Our integrity is being called into question.”
Eileen O’Neill, administrative assistant, Carlsen Center

Lawrence Tyree even weighed in on the subject in a campus wide email and voice mail message.
“As you know, last night the JCCC board of trustees received the written results of an independent review of recent events at the college,” he said. “Maybe they weren’t what we expected, but I think we can still learn from them and especially from future communication with the attorneys.”
Tyree said he’s convinced the board will work with faculty and staff to make the necessary and appropriate changes.
He also thanked the campus community for continuing their charge.
“Let me express my gratitude for the fine job that each and every one of you are doing in taking care of the heart of this college – our students,” he said. “In this time of trouble, classes were never disrupted. You kept teaching and working with students, and most importantly – students kept learning. For that I’m very grateful to each and every one of you. I look forward to continuing working with you as long as I am privileged to be here at Johnson County Community College."

THE CAMPUS LEDGER: Badger Update

This article was originally published in The Campus Ledger, Sept. 14, 2006
Costs for presidential scandal surpass $600,000

Independent review costs time, money, patience

by Miguel M. Morales

Badger & Levings bill for the yet to be delivered report on the “the public allegation involving Dr. Carlsen” exceeds $342,880.
The Board of Trustees hired Betsy Badger’s law firm May 4.
The bill for Corporate Communications Group, a Kansas public relations firm hired by the board, grew to $54,554 and Carlsen’s voluntary retirement cost the college $234,430.
As of press time, The Ledger could not obtain fees from the law firms of Lathrop & Gage and Shook, Hardy & Bacon.

The Money
So far the grand total for the presidential scandal comes to $631,864.
How much is that?
According to the newly lowered mill levy, 2,697 Johnson County homeowners must pay in taxes on their homes (valued at $229,934, paying $234.29).
It could also provide 836 tuition-only scholarships for fulltime students (12 hours @ $63 per credit hour = $756).
During the Board of Trustees meeting May 4, Lynn Mitchelson, trustee, questioned Badger about the potential cost of the investigation.
Badger said at that point the final cost is unknown.
“Mr. Ferguson [the board’s attorney] emphasized when we talked to him that you were stewards of this money,” Badger said. “We certainly have no problem with that -- all of our clients feel that way.”
Theresa Levings, also an attorney of Badger & Levings, has assisted Badger in the investigation.
According to Badger’s acceptance and confirmation of terms letter, both lawyers bill the college at $250 per hour each. The letter also states the firm's other lawyers and staff may assist at rates ranging from $85 - $160 per hour.

"I don’t know anything about it."
Elaine Perilla, trustee

The Report
Badger told the Board of Trustees the investigation would take approximately 30 – 45 days placing the final report submission date in mid June 2006.
Despite being present when Badger presented monthly updates to the board in Executive Sessions, Elaine Perilla, trustee, denied knowledge of the report.
“I don’t know anything about it,” Perilla said.
Jon Stewart, trustee, said he did not know the exact date trustees will receive and subsequently release the report to the public.
“The target we thought we would have was the end of August,” Stewart said. “I think we should get it at anytime.”
Stewart said it may be presented at the next board of trustees meeting slated for Sept. 21.
“I don’t have any inside information on that,” he said.” I’m just hopeful we can hit it by then.”
Vincent Clark, professor of History and president of the Faculty Association, agrees with Stewart. “We basically hope the report is complete,” Clark said.
Stewart confirmed part of the delay in presenting the final report to the board came in response to a death in Badger’s family.
“I don’t know if there were other delays but that was certainly one,” he said. “I’d like to make sure that whatever we get is something that can help us put processes and procedures in place in the future that will make it a lot easier for people to come forward.”

The Timeline

April 17
Trustee meeting – Perilla, as board chair, charges Ferguson with presenting candidates to serve as independent review.

April 26
Trustee meeting – after an Executive Session, trustees release a document with two recommendations. The first calls for the immediate hiring of an independent reviewer to conduct a review of “the public allegation involving Dr. Carlsen.” The recommendation also calls for the independent reviewer to report results to the full Board of Trustees in Executive Session.
“The findings and recommendations will not be disclosed publicly in order to protect the confidentiality of personnel,” the document reads.
The second recommendation calls for hiring Betsy Badger of Badger & Levings, LLC.

April 28 – nine past presidents of the Faculty Association submit an e-mail letter to the Board of Trustees and the media. It calls for Perilla to “resign her chairmanship and excuse herself from any decision-making role in the Carlsen case.”
It also calls for the independent review findings to be made public.
Later that day Perilla and Mitchelson issue a joint media statement in response to the Faculty Association’s letter. The letter reaffirms the board’s intention to keep the results private.
“I believe this process is fair to the staff and responsive to the taxpayers,” the statement reads.
The Campus Ledger reports Susan Lindahl, vice president College Relations and Strategic Initiatives, and Badger attend the same Overland Park church.

May 4
Trustee meeting – Badger addresses conflicts of interest.
“I do attend Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church,” Badger said. “I am not a member of that church. I do sing in the choir. That was accurately reported.”
Badger also discloses that Brian Badger, associate professor of Information Technology, is her brother-in-law.
Trustees vote to sign Badger’s letter of acceptance and confirmation of terms. The letter states that communications between Badger, the firm and the board will fall under attorney-client privilege.

May 11 – the Faculty Association votes 208 - 20 to send a statement to the Board of Trustees. The statement calls on trustees to conduct a complete investigation, eliminate any possible appearance of conflict of interest and issue a complete public report.

July 13
Trustee meeting – trustees hear an interim report from Badger.
Mitchelson reads the following statement: "The board received an update tonight about the progress of the review from our attorneys. Their work is nearing an end but is not yet complete. We hope to receive their report soon and learn from it and move the college forward. With assurances from legal counsel that the identities of persons interviewed during the investigation will be protected, it is the intention of the board to release the report of the review when it is received by the board."

Aug. 8
Trustee meeting – trustees hear an interim report from Badger.