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From Concerned Citizen 101....

However, after my findings this past week I’m changing my name to Deeply Disturbed Citizen. Had lunch with some friends and the topics of discussion were very interesting. You guessed it none other than the current happenings at the University of North Alabama. These facts are easily verified.

So it seems that the violation of Ms. Audrey Mitchell’s civil rights continues. If you recall Ms. Mitchell is suing the University of North Alabama.

http://www.timesdaily.com/news/local/suit-against-una-alleges-discrimination/article_d583fa3b-e1f4-5d41-b4ea-0d9b0122a509.html

Well it seems that if forcing Ms. Mitchell’s office area back under Student Affairs Vice President David Shields supervision wasn’t enough, Dr. Kimberly Greenway (previous Director of Student Conduct but received a promotion to newly created position Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life) came up with the bright idea of forcing Ms. Mitchell to have an office right next to Kevin Jacques. Now keep in mind David Shields and Kevin Jacques have starring roles in the Mitchell v University of North Alabama lawsuit. Also, keep in mind Dr. Greenway’s position on campus was Director of Student Conduct. If anybody should know this is a classic case of intentionally creating a hostile work environment as well as retaliation Dr. Greenway should. However, when Ms. Mitchell stated to Dr. Greenway that she refused to be placed in a hostile work environment by being forced to have her office right next to Kevin Jacques, Dr. Greenway didn’t try to come up with another plan instead she told her she would have Human Resources investigate how doing this would create a hostile work environment. Are you kidding me? If this is any indication of Dr. Greenway’s judicial judgement then all of her judicial cases should be reviewed. Allegedly Ms. Mitchell has audio recordings of these interactions.

Let me continue because it gets much worse. So, I was told around the last week of July 2017 Ms. Mitchell received an email from none other than everyone’s favorite and very competent HR person, Catherine White. Catherine included Kimberly Greenway and Evan Thornton (VP of Business and Financial Affairs and Catherine’s boss) on the email. The email stated that Dr. Greenway informed Catherine White of Ms. Mitchell’s claims of hostile work environment if Kevin Jacques’ office was placed right next to hers. Catherine White then stated that Ms. Mitchell was to write a statement showing how Dr. Greenway’s plan for her and Kevin Jacques’ office placement would create a hostile work environment and she would investigated it.

I’ll wait until you stop laughing.

How in the heck (I wanted to use a different word) can Catherine White perform an unbiased investigation on anything concerning Ms. Audrey Mitchell? Keep in mind Catherine White also has a starring role in the Mitchell v University of North Alabama lawsuit. Now given Catherine White’s position she definitely should know better and immediately realized that what Kimberly Greenway was trying to do was a violation of federal law. She should also know that she couldn’t investigate anything concerning Audrey Mitchell and should have never sent Ms. Mitchell an email. If this is any indication of the judgement process she uses when conducting her HR responsibilities then all her cases should be reviewed as well.

Now I’m told Ms. Mitchell responded to Catherine White’s request and pretty much told her some of what I said and much much more. I’m told it was very professionally and respectfully written but a drop the mic kind of email.

Well here is why I’ve gone from Concerned Citizen to Deeply Disturbed Citizen. I’m told Ms. Mitchell responded to the email on July 27th. I’m also told that she included Kimberly Greenway and Evan Thornton in her response. Then on Friday, July 28th, Ms. Mitchell attended a scheduled meeting with Kimberly Greenway and Kevin Jacques but was blindsided and told that she would be removed from her Director of Housing (job title name was changed when she was forced back under David Shields’ supervision) position and forced to either accept a new position, resign or be terminated. Keep in mind that Dr. Greenway couldn’t tell Ms. Mitchell what the new position was because apparently it hadn’t been created yet. But Ms. Mitchell was told she had to give Kimberly Greenway an answer by Monday, July 31st. Who in the heck (not what I wanted to say) expects someone to make a decision about a job they don’t have details on. I’m told this meeting was recorded as well. Way to go Ms. Mitchell!! Also, keep in mind Kimberly Greenway’s previous position was Director of Student Conduct. Wow!!

Now Kevin Jacques was removed from his position as well but it’s not the same circumstances as Ms. Mitchell. He was moved to an existing position Director of University Events, knew where his new office would be and he actually received more responsibility by having multiple offices under his supervision as well as oversight of multiple budgets. This means he technically hit a promotion. Watching the payroll spending site for the possibility of a raise. I’m told that Ms. Mitchell didn’t know where her new office would be nor have a job description until a couple of days before she was suppose to move.

Her white counterparts received nice promotions while Ms. Mitchell was stripped of her supervisory and budgetary oversight responsibilities. If you don’t believe me check out the updated organization chart just published dated October 2017 and look at Mr. Bret Jennings’ (Kevin Jacques was moved into his old position) newly created position under Students Affairs Division Executive Director Of Auxiliary Programs and Ms. Jennifer Sutton’s newly created position Director of Housing and Residence Life (I was informed this is part of Ms. Mitchell’s position once they forced her out). Also, look at the payroll for these two. Look at July 2017 payroll and compare it to November 2017 payroll. Both received over $14,000 a year raises. That’s pretty good. A black woman was retaliated against because she took a stand and filed a lawsuit and then voiced her concerns of being subjected to hostile work environment and got demoted and two of her white counterparts benefited by receiving promotions and nice size raises. Way to go Catherine White and Kenneth Kitts.

https://www.una.edu/humanresources/organizational-chart.html

https://www.una.edu/university-spending/

If these allegations are true about Catherine White she should act like she has some resemblance of ethics and admit wrongdoing and resign from her position.

If these allegations are true about Kimberly Greenway she should be immediately terminated. Get this. I was told there’s some possible Teachers Retirement System violation concerning her payroll for July 2017 and her retirement date and the start date of her new part time position. However, I want to verify and provide proof before I post about it. Stay tuned I’ve put a call into the State Retirement System.

If these allegations are true about President Kenneth Kitts and he knew and/or approved of these actions by Kimberly Greenway and Catherine White (was told there are audio tapes to prove it) then he should do the good employees of UNA and citizens of Florence a favor and resign.

You see not that it matters but I feel it’s necessary to prove my point. I’m a white female and I see all these incidents as clear cut discrimination, retaliation and intentionally creating a hostile work environment due to race. Also, the people I am hearing these things from are both white and black employees and people in the community but mostly white. I said that because I didn’t want any of your readers to think that only black people are upset and claiming racism. No it’s more white people that are verbalizing their concerns to me.

What this boils down to is Audrey Mitchell is threatening their “way” of doing things. Because she’s brave enough to take a stand and expose the systemic discrimination issues at the University of North Alabama. Because she refuses to get along, because she refuses to tuck her tail, bow down and either shut up or quit the powers that be (Kenneth Kitts, Board of Trustees and Human Resources) will continue to humiliate and pick at her in the hopes of finding her breaking point. Can you imagine the embarrassment, intimidation and humiliation Ms. Mitchell must feel and forced to endure everyday. I don’t know how she does it. God bless this young lady and continue to give her strength.

Well, I’m done sitting by and simply posting my concerns. I’m calling the Governor’s Office on Monday and strongly requesting an independent investigation. Yes, I’m done waiting on the Board of Trustees to do anything. I’m also asking the Governor to look into why the Board is allowing all of this to continue and escalate to this level. I just know by their actions or should I say lack there of there’s some questionable things going on with the Board. I will start calling Monday, November 13th and continue to call until I get a response. I’m also asking all of my friends, family and readers to call as well. If you can’t call then write. This is the only way to put a stop to this level of egregious violations.

Governor Kay Ivey
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130
334.242.7100

Don’t think for a minute this is just about Audrey Mitchell. Audrey Mitchell is being taught a lesson and by publicly humiliating and continually treat her in such a harsh manner Kenneth Kitts, Catherine White and the rest of the powers that be are sending a very strong message to all of their employees which is sit down, shut up or you will get what Audrey Mitchell is getting. Again Ms. Mitchell is threatening their way of doing business and they can’t afford to lose control of their corrupt empire. That’s why they are digging their heels in.

If Kenneth Kitts, Catherine White, David Shields and the rest of the people involved directly or indirectly in these allegations get away with this it will affect more than just her. They will continue and do it to others and it will/could soon be you. Probably has already happened to you but you’re too scared to speak out and who can blame you.

Start calling!!!!

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Sincere apologies to Concerned Citizen 101 for the delay in publishing this post. Also our sincere thanks, for without such telling accounts, most of us would have only the TD's cheerleading articles from which to glean information about the university.