Faculty file complaint against Olens becoming KSU president

Some Kennesaw State University faculty filed a federal complaint Monday against Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens becoming the school’s next president, saying the state Board of Regents’ selection process was discriminatory and unfair.

The complaint was filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Atlanta office.

The complainants said at least three women submitted applications to become KSU president, but said they never received a response from the state's university system. Olens was the only candidate interviewed for the position.

“We believe that when the (Board of Regents) bypassed the standards that guide a traditional search, it acted unethically and likely violated federal anti-discrimination laws,” said KSU English professor and former ombuds Anne Richards.

Richards and others also believe selecting Olens was a conflict-of-interest since he’s a defendant in an ongoing lawsuit concerning corruption allegations at some state colleges.

University System of Georgia spokesman Charles Sutlive declined comment, saying his office had not seen the complaint.

State officials have said some college searches have been done without a traditional selection process.

Olens, a former Cobb County commission chairman, is scheduled to begin his first day as KSU president on Nov. 1.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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