The S&B can confirm that Associate Dean and Director of Residence Life Sheree Andrews has been placed on administrative leave as of yesterday morning. Andrews is still employed by the college, but it is unclear what, if any, role she will have while placed on leave. “I don’t know what the status is,” Andrews told the S&B in a phone interview this afternoon.
While Andrews said she could not speak in detail on the matter, she said that it might be resolved soon. “Hopefully next week [it will be resolved],” she said. “That’s my understanding.”
Andrews could also not say whether or not her change in status was voluntary, and said only that “There’s a bunch of us working on this.”
Responding to a request for comment, Dean of Students Travis Greene wrote in an e-mail that “due to College policy regarding the confidentiality of personnel-related matters, and out of respect for those involved, no College employees are able to comment regarding this or any other personnel matter.” Vice President for Student Affairs Houston Dougharty could not be reached for comment.
While the College’s Staff Handbook includes a section on Progressive Discipline and Termination, there is no formal policy for imposing disciplinary measures short of dismissal.
According to section 2.5 of the Grinnell College Staff Handbook, “Although one or more … steps may be taken in connection with a particular employee, no formal order or procedure is necessary for appropriate action.” Although there is no formal designation for Andrews' status, she said it could be best described as "administrative leave."
The S&B first learned that Andrews was placed on administrative leave from numerous Student Staff members and a member of SGA. Andrews later confirmed the information in the interview.
Andrews’ status at the school was first disseminated to Student Staff members last night, when some RLCs held meetings to inform their staffs. However they were given no further information about the circumstances beyond the fact that she was on leave.
This is a developing story, and we will be posting further information when it becomes available…
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2 comments:
Hey, what's new on this?
Does this mean the administration might actually be critically evaluating the hiring and firing policies of our new VP of Student Affairs? Given that these "trust issues" have arisen after his arrival, perhaps his actions are the source, rather than an effect, of the problems facing student life at Grinnel. If Student Affairs is actually going to be transparent, having private 1:1 meetings will not facilitate open community dialogue. It will only allow those vested with power to spin stories that enables the oppressive leadership style we are witnessing.
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