Where Does Buck Stop? White? Shields? Kitts?

One can hear all sorts of things and usually does. There's practically a pool on whose head will roll at UNA; will it be Catherine White, David Shields, or Kenneth Kitts...or a combination thereof? If we had to guess, at least White should be held accountable for not properly overseeing her human resources department.

Catherine Driskell White

How many other employees at UNA are walking around without a background check? What happens if such checks are now done and something untoward is found on one or more professors? Will UNA have to buy out their contracts?

Concerned Citizen 101 has another great editorial on recent events:

A friend of a friend sent me an email that was sent to all employees from the past and present Shared Governance Executive Committee chairs.  Here’s the statement for you to read for yourself…

From: Infanger, Scott Ryan
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2017 10:45 AM
To: 
Subject: SG Chairs statement


In light of the recent news regarding the “Jane Doe” lawsuit against the University of North Alabama, we feel it is necessary to release a statement as the Shared Governance Chairs.

We stand with the faculty, staff and students in declaring our support for the Title IX system that protects all of the members of our community, and we condemn any action by any individual, whether a member of the UNA community or not, that would injure or harm anyone.

Much information has been stirring with allegations of administrative wrongdoing and cover up. We have met with President Kitts and University Counsel Ms. Amber Fite-Morgan, and have been briefed on the university’s response to the lawsuit and the university’s actions against the visiting professor. We are confident that the administration acted in accordance with the Title IX policy and system at UNA in protecting the student and the university as a whole. We are relieved to know that as soon as the university learned about a visiting professor’s alleged misconduct, the administration took swift action to prevent further misconduct, and removed him from campus and banned him from all contact with students.

While it is lamentable that such a situation should arise at any point, especially when it involves the safety and security of our students, we affirm that the Title IX policy and system at UNA works and protects our community.

Because this is a pending lawsuit, specific details on both sides must remain confidential.  We are confident, however, that UNA acted appropriately and did everything possible to protect and help the student.
We support President Kitts and the administration in their leadership.

Sincerely,

Scott R. Infanger
SGEC Chair 2016-2017

Lee G. Renfroe
SGEC Chair 2017-2018


Scott Infanger, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Spanish
Shared Governance Chair, 2016-2017
University of North Alabama

 
The statement stated that these two met with President Kitts and University Attorney Amber Fite-Morgan and they went over the University’s response to the lawsuit and the University’s actions against the visiting Professor. These two go on to say they support Kitts and all involved.

I have my opinion of this statement. Bunch of malarkey and more smoke and mirrors. These two Professors should be ashamed of themselves for allowing themselves to get talked into being a part of the political antics of UNA Administration. The rest of the faculty and staff should demand that the present chair Lee Renfroe be immediately removed especially if she didn’t bother to run this statement by any other employees before signing her name to it. But let me show you why I say that.

While they were meeting with slick Kitts and shady Amber Fite-Morgan did they ask either of them if Jane Doe was in fact diagnosed with PDSD by a UNA Counselor and if her actual withdrawal was academic. If so did everyone’s favorite Vice President con artist David Shields change it. If so, why???? Did either of these Professors ask Kitts and Amber if they investigated the “misconduct” of Dickerson and  found he did violate Title IX and they terminated him why did he continue to remain on payroll until June 2016 receiving a check over $10,000 per month? Check out the spending link https://www.una.edu/University-spending. Per UNA’s second statement on August 12th concerning Jane Doe the incident happened Fall 2015. The lawsuit states the two male students told Jerome Gafford about their pictures as soon as they returned from the trip which was November 2015. 

Heck, how long does it take to investigate when you have pictures of “misconduct” and eye witnesses? Is this how they terminate somebody guilty of Title IX? Wow. Did either of these Professors ask Kitts and Amber if Catherine White who is head of Human Resources did a proper background check and if so what were the results of that background check? If not, why not? Did either of these Professors ask Kitts and Amber if an investigation was done? Did anyone bother to take Jane Doe’s statement and report this to the Police? Did either of these Professors ask Kitts and Amber about the first August 11th statement made concerning Jane Doe lawsuit. Who posted the first statement? Is this statement supported by Kitts, Amber and the Board of Trustees? Did they ask what course of action would be taken with whomever released and approved the first statement? Why in the first statement did UNA not admit they were aware of Jane Doe’s allegations but then changed it a day later?

These are a few questions that pop into my mind but certainly should have been asked by the Shared Governance Executive Committee chairs if in fact they seriously went into the meeting wanting to get to the truth. The real truth. If they didn’t ask these questions and much more shame on them.

Just with the questions I asked it shows deliberate cover up by Kitts, David Shields and Catherine White. They couldn’t out right terminate Dickerson because they would have to state why. So they asked him to leave and paid him until his contract ran out. If Jane Doe was recommended by the University Counselor for medical withdrawal and David Shields changed it to academic, why? I’ll tell you. Couldn’t have a paper trail of Jane Doe actually seeking medical attention due to Dickerson. UNA would be liable. This entire situation is to cover up Catherine White’s screw up with the background check. But it shows what lengths this President and all his cronies will go to protect themselves. All of them were too comfortable doing this. What we all should be asking is what else have they been in cahoots covering up.

As I said before Kitts and his Administration have proven they are corrupt and not capable of good judgment and doing the right thing. Heck, why would you trust their word in this? They're named in the lawsuit and will do and say anything to cover their butts. If this lawsuit as well as the other lawsuit Mitchell v UNA proves to be true these are career ending charges for all of them. Do you think they would actually tell the truth at this point? Kitts is making close to $300,000 a year. That’s a lot for him to protect by any means necessary. Who else would hire him, David or Catherine when they get fired. Did the Professors see any documented proof backing up Kitts and Amber’s claims? If not, shame on them for not taking their jobs seriously and doing a half *** meeting/investigation and then sending this official statement out to the employees in order to convince everyone of Kitts' and the rest involved's innocence.

Where is the Board of Trustees? Are they a part of the cover up? It doesn’t take  long to figure out if Kitts and the rest are lying. Looks like the good ole political wheel is still in affect. Let's see if we can find a way to get out of this smelling like a rose.

I have an answer that will make that wheel turn faster and even spin off its axis. The public needs to start calling UNA and all Board members demanding answers and the termination of all involved. Better yet let’s start calling Governor Ivey’s office and demand answers.

Just a random thought… I was in the market for a new car. Guess whose car lot I won’t be going to? Board member Todd Ouellette that’s who. Getting ready to do some comparison shopping for insurance. Guess who’s office I won’t be looking at… Board member Steve Pierce.

Don’t let Kitts and the rest of these people talk you into believing their lies and half truths. Do your own research. Keep the pressure on all of them. Students, organize more protests. Public. let’s rally around them and show up at these peaceful protests. Together we can help UNA get back on track but it's going to take consistent pressure and protests from all of us.


Concerned Citizen 101