COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Leaders at Kennesaw State University are scrambling to contain a social media firestorm sparked by a video that's gone viral.
Officials told Channel 2 Action News that they have placed academic advisor Abby Dawson on administrative leave pending a comprehensive investigation after threatening to call campus security on a student who showed up for help.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Aaron Diamant spoke to the student who shot that video.
Diamant has been unable to reach Dawson after several attempts.
Kevin Bruce, a junior at KSU, says he was just simply waiting for one of his exercise science advisers to sign a form when Dawson came out and accused him of harassment.
Bruce recorded the exchange with his phone.
Bruce: "I'm not harassing no one."
Dawson: "You are."
Bruce: "I'm not."
Dawson: "I can call security. You can fill out the form just like everybody else does."
Bruce: "OK. I'm just waiting to talk to talk to someone. I'm not harassing no one, though."
"I was shocked, but I wasn't surprised," Bruce said.
He told Diamant he'd dealt with Dawson before and she is difficult to get a hold of.
Bruce says he's still shocked that an academic adviser at the school's WellStar College of Health and Human Services threatened to call security on him.
Dawson: "Sitting here until somebody's available is harassing them."
Bruce: "That's not harassing them."
Dawson: "It is. Would you like me to call campus security?"
Bruce: "I mean…"
Dawson: "I will go do that."
Bruce: "OK."
The video went viral online and reaction on social media was swift from people lashing out at the adviser, to accusations of racism.
"I don't know her that well to say it's a race thing, I just know she's disrespectful," Bruce told Diamant.
Dawson hasn't returned our messages. According to University officials, the investigation is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.
“Kennesaw State is dedicated to providing a positive academic experience for all students,” said Ken Harmon, Kennesaw State’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We also have a responsibility to provide all students, faculty and staff with a fair and thorough review process.”
Bruce told Diamant he's supposed to meet with school leaders Thursday evening. He does admit to having a previous incident with Dawson.
At this point we can't confirm what happened before or after what was recorded in the video.
Diamant will keep working to get in touch with Dawson to get her side.
We'll have more on the latest developments in this case on Channel 2 Action News.
WSBTV
