KSU professor to file complaint over president elect

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A tenured professor at Kennesaw State University says she will file a job discrimination complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission over the process that led to the appointment of Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens as president elect of KSU.

"My greatest concern is damage to our national reputation, and the fact that university presidents should be academics, not just attorneys. The EEOC case is pending and will be filed next week, with multiple complainants stating that women, minorities and others were not allowed to apply for the position," said Susan Gaines, Ph.D KSU Professor.

Gaines said the Georgia Board of Regents showed bias and lack of transparency in the selection process. She said a nationwide search should have been conducted, and that the Board did not consider other candidates for the position, including her application.

"We had a number of faculty members apply for the position and be considered so a real hiring process could occur, and their applications were not responded to in any way." said Gaines.

The professor also said that the selection process should have included input from faculty, staff and students.

"My hope, again, is to get Sam Olens to step down and get the Board of Regents to have a normal hiring process, and I'm just speaking as a citizen in the state of Georgia. Our universities deserve better," said Gaines.

Following the appointment of Olens as president elect, the top ranking official of public university education in Georgia said a nationwide candidate search would have been costly and ineffective.

"Carrying a nationwide search is very expensive. It would have probably cost anywhere from $200,000 to $350,000 and overtime. We go through a nationwide search we don't necessarily come out a winner," said University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby.

A spokesman for USG noted that presidents at other universities were appointed without a nationwide search, including Dalton State College and Fort Valley University.

President elect Olens sent a message ThKSursday to faculty, staff and students. He pledged his passion and commitment to higher education and the success of students. Below are excerpts from the message.

"Additionally, the grit and determination that Kennesaw State students are known for and the inclusive campus community are consistent with who I am and the values I hold. As president, I strongly believe in mutual respect, open communication and tolerance. We need to work together to find solutions that will enable Kennesaw State to continue to thrive," wrote Olens.

Olens begins his new job on November 1.

Cox Media Group