Lake Michigan College is making it clear that they will not debate their presidential suspension issue in the media. Responding to multiple requests from media outlets both inside and outside of the district and the region, the college community has issued a public statement essentially saying there will be no further public discussion until their planned just cause hearing next month.
While last Friday's suspension of the college's President, Dr. Jennifer Spielvogel, on a variety of issues has resulted in comments from her legal counsel saying she had no chance to respond to the charges levied by the Board of Trustees, the college is declining further public comment pending the just cause hearing.
Here is the college's public statement issued this evening:
As a public institution of higher learning, Lake Michigan College sincerely values, respects and upholds the rights held by media organizations and members of the general public to access public information; In fact, our remarkably engaged and informed constituency is part of what makes Lake Michigan College so special.
As stewards of the college, we have a responsibility to preserve and protect its resources. The college is in the midst of a sensitive legal issue and is following due process to determine a resolution through a hearing that will take place in less than thirty days.
Releasing details in excess of the facts and statements already published regarding this unfortunate situation in the meantime, not only places the college at unnecessary legal risk, but also compromises our obligation to protect the rights of an individual who is still employed by LMC and deserving of respect.
Should Dr. Spielvogel want the public to have access to additional information, it is her right to request an open just cause hearing. Both parties are currently working to finalize the date, which will be communicated publicly.
For further background on suspension of the institution's leader in a special board meeting on Friday, April 8, 2016, click these links for the stories posted at that time:
