LOC to investigate ‘slander’ of president
Lemoyne-owen College launched a human resources investigation following calls by students and alumni for President Andrea Miller to resign.
The college cited “slander” against Miller and potentially fireable offenses as reasons for the investigation.
The private college’s HR department issued a letter informing employees and students of the investigation.
A copy of the letter was forwarded to The Commercial Appeal, and a communications representative for the college verified it was sent.
“Given the serious nature of the allegations, the negative impact to the College, and the potential slander against President Miller, this is to notify all faculty, staff, and students that a formal investigation through Human Resources and external legal experts has been launched,” the letter read.
“The results of this investigation will include resolution measures as well as disciplinary and legal action if appropriate.”
The letter also alleged “entities” were distributing information falsely on behalf of campus organizations.
Miller calls for ‘open dialogue’
In a statement, Miller said she wants “open dialogue,” and the letter from HR and subsequent investigation are not intended to dismiss that.
“It was not meant to subdue the voices of those who have legitimate concerns that we want and need to hear,” she said. “Instead, it was sent with the hope of quelling the gross misuse of our college’s information technology systems and violations of internal policies we have in place for faculty, staff and students — all created and necessary to protect those our institution proudly serves.”
The investigation comes in the wake of a letter sent by the college’s student government association to members of the board of trustees calling for Miller’s resignation or removal.
The letter detailed concerns about student housing and questionable employment decisions.
“The current climate and well-being of the institution is at stake,” the letter read. “In fact, a growing trend of students expressing their desire to no longer attend, transfer, or simply not refer the college to other (prospective) students is occurring.”
The student organization accused Miller of retaining school employees who are relatives and failing to abate a mold problem in the dormitories. The letter also cited complaints of rodents.
Other issues of students smoking in dorms were reported to the dean of students, but no action was taken, according to the letter.
“The safety and well-being of our students always has been and continues to be a top priority,” a previous statement from the college read. “We have moved with urgency to address conditions that can have a negative impact on our students’ learning experiences.”
The college has also added additional security cameras, the statement said.
“We remain an institution that values feedback from and dialogue with our students about issues and ideas that will enhance their campus experience,” the college said.
Some faculty and staff previously called for Miller to step down after alleging she plagiarized famed pastor Joel Osteen during a convocation address to incoming freshmen.
The board investigated the incident and found an “error in judgement,” according to one board member, and Miller was able to keep her job.
In 2017, some faculty members submitted a vote of “no confidence” in Miller’s leadership to the board of trustees.
Reach Jennifer Pignolet at jennifer. pignolet@commercialappeal.com.