CMU suspends two employees
University to investigate roles in scandal
Central Michigan University has suspended two employees while it conducts an investigation into whether either person knew about or contributed to years of sexual harassment involving a CMU alumnus.
“We are aware of the allegations that have come to light against Vanguard Public Affairs, which include a connection to a current CMU faculty member,” read a statement issued by the university Thursday night. “We also received reports that a staff member may have been aware of the situation. We are taking immediate action to thoroughly investigate this matter, and both employees have been removed from all duties and any student contact.
“The health and safety of each and every CMU student is our top priority, and the alleged incidents are in direct contrast to our university’s values. We will not tolerate behavior or practices that violate our commitment to integrity, respect and compassion, or that create an environment that is hostile or unwelcoming for any individual.”
Bob Davies, CMU president, announced in a blog post Friday morning that
CMU has retained “outside, independent counsel” to conduct the investigation.
The scandal involves TJ Bucholz, a 1994 graduate from the university’s journalism department and who started his career as a reporter at the Morning Sun in the mid-90s.
Bucholz was accused last week in a Facebook post by Emily Dievendorf, a Lansing-area LGBTQ activist, who worked with him on a Democratic gubernatorial campaign.
After the post, several former employees of the Lansing-area public relations firm Bucholz launched in 2014, Vanguard Public Relations, came forward to detail what they called years of sexual harassment on the job.
Following the revelations, two civic boards on which Bucholz sat cut ties with him.
Downtown Lansing Inc. announced Thursday that he would no longer serve on its board and the Central Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society of America announced Thursday that they’d cut ties with him effective last Sunday.