Just like many are scared for the future of the United States right now, I’m worried about the future of this university.
Are we going to be divided over the appointment of Attorney General Sam Olens as our university president like our nation is divided over Donald Trump winning the U.S. presidency?
I really hope not, but right now it seems that way.
Before Olens was appointed to the presidency, hundreds of students protested on the Green and thousands signed a petition urging the Board of Regents not to appoint him.
On the day the Board of Regents was set to vote on Olens, many professors took to the Green to protest Olen’s appointment. Still, members of the Board of Regents voted anonymously for his appointment, while one member did not vote.
After this, protests continued. It seems that the students who once protested Olens’ perceived stance on gay marriage and LBGTIQ rights have stopped. Kennesaw State Univeristy’s professors, on the other hand, have become more involved with protests and legal action.
One professor, Dr. Susan Raines, filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging discriminatory actions in the hiring process. She felt the Board of Regents discriminated against her and other faculty members who had applied to the KSU presidency. It didn’t seem like those applications were even considered.
Professors and students requested a temporary restraining order against Olens Oct. 28.
Many criticize Olens because he has no background in education, just like Trump has no background in politics or foreign policy.
On the other hand, Olens has made some major strides toward reconciling with the students who once opposed him in protests and criticized him for his stance on gay marriage and LBGTIQ rights.
In a university-wide email Olens sent out Nov. 4, Olens said he met with various members of the KSU community including the leaders of the GLBTIQ Center, and some of its members had protested Olens on the Green Oct. 3.
“During our meeting [with the leaders of the six Presidential Commissions], I encouraged the commissions to keep pushing forward and pledged my commitment for maintaining Kennesaw State’s rich campus culture of diversity and inclusion,” Olens said in the email. “I did so because it is the right thing to do and it is what I personally believe.”
I know what it is like to not get a job you had always wanted, so Ido feel for Dr. Raines, who filed the complaint. I’m sure it feels a lot like favoritism and bias when your application just gets thrown in the trash.
It wasn’t fair that other applications weren’t even considered. I honestly do know what that feels like. I’m very sorry, but I would encourage Dr. Raines and the others to stay strong because I have learned that you might find purpose and fulfillment elsewhere — a place where you might not have expected to find it.
Despite our best efforts, Olens still got appointed by the Board of Regents. Was it discrimination? Was it favoritism? Perhaps, but I really can’t make say unless I was a part of the hiring process.
Nevertheless, Olens is the president of KSU. From what I have seen of him, he seems like a good, caring man. I really appreciate the frequent emails he sends us. Our last president rarely did that. So if that’s the best that KSU can do, I’m content.
Not only do I see division and unrest in our nation today, but I also see it on our own campus grounds. There are issues that need to be resolved and questions that need to be answered.
I can see that we KSU students are suffering — not only from the stress of this year’s election, but also from the conflicts of our university. Perhaps it’s time we look at ourselves in the mirror, because I believe that healing and reconciliation begins with recognizing the problem.
