The "Campus Ledger," the school newspaper at
Johnson County Community College, revealed that JCCC President Charles "Chuck" Carlsen was
reported for sexually harassing a female employee in 2003.
According to a story (4/15) in the
Lawrence Journal World, Carlsen went into full crisis communications mode by taking
a leave of absence (hiding) and retaining high-price "consultant" David Westbrook to manage
the media. He then announced his "retirement," which is a nice
way of taking the money and running before more embarrassing stories arise that
could impact his paycheck.
JCCC confronts
life after Carlsen
College ponders its next steps
By MELODEE HALL BLOBAUM
The Kansas City Star, 4/22/06
Business continued pretty
much as usual Friday at Johnson County Community College after Charles Carlsen’s
surprise announcement of his retirement as the college’s president.
Students went to class, instructors graded papers, and the college’s foundation
continued to solicit donations.
Carlsen’s announcement Thursday night came one week after he began a voluntary
leave of absence following publication of allegations that he had sexually
harassed an employee in 2003.
Mark Ferguson, the college’s attorney, said Carlsen will be paid through June 30
in accordance with the school’s retirement policy. His total compensation for
the year is $234,430, with a salary of $208,248.
In addition, his contract specifies that he will be compensated for unused
accrued vacation time, not to exceed 467 hours, upon the termination of his
contract for any reason.
The board of trustees approved Carlsen’s retirement request at a special meeting
Thursday and announced that it would proceed with an independent investigation
of the matter, including a review of the college’s human resources policies.
Scott Tanner, a sophomore from Ottawa, Kan., who is secretary of the college’s
student senate, said the retirement wasn’t entirely unexpected, though the
allegations were.
They came to light in the April 13 edition of The Campus Ledger, the school
newspaper. Carlsen denied the allegations to the paper, and repeated that denial
in his retirement letter.
“I have done nothing wrong,” he wrote.
Tanner said students seem to have mixed opinions about the allegations and the
retirement.
“Realistically, he was a good guy, I think, and it’s a shame that he has to
leave,” Tanner said. “On the other hand, if he actually did do what he was
accused of and the entire process had played out, that would have been poor for
everybody.”
Tanner said he hoped that a new president would treat the student senate as
professionally as Carlsen did.
And, he said, he didn’t think the controversy would leave a cloud over the
school.
“I think the majority of students come here because it’s cost-effective,” he
said. “As long as prices stay down, I don’t think an issue with one of the
college’s past presidents will be looked at as negative by potential students.”
Carlsen’s retirement isn’t likely to have an impact on fundraising either, said
Joe Sopcich, the college’s foundation director.
The college is much stronger than one individual, Sopcich said, and potential
donors continue to show support. He expects that various fundraising events,
including a scholarship auction planned for next Friday, will break records.
“We have been overwhelmed with a strong show of support from individuals in the
community on behalf of Dr. Carlsen, and as a result we think this year will be a
good year,” he said.
Vincent Clark, a history professor who is president of the college’s faculty
association, said Carlsen’s retirement caught him by surprise.
He had expected that the independent investigation that the board of trustees
authorized at a special meeting Monday would go forward and that trustees would
then take action.
“It’s important that the investigation take place and that it be vigorous,
impartial and thorough,” Clark said.
He praised the stability Carlsen brought to the campus and his support for
academic freedom, as well as his ability to consolidate community support for
the institution.
Clark said he expected that the search for a new president would attract a wide
field of candidates.
“This is one of the premier community colleges in the country,” he said.
Faculty members are concerned that the process of appointing an interim
president and searching for a new one be conducted openly and with faculty
input, he said.
Meanwhile, Clark said, faculty members continue to do their essential job of
educating students.
“The college does not consist of one person,” Clark said. “The college will
continue, classes will be effectively taught, tests will be given.”
