After
completing mediation, Adams State University reached a satisfactory decision
regarding an unsuccessful job applicant and the American Civil Liberties Union
of Colorado, according to Julie Waechter, Adams State assistant to the
president for communications.
The
case was introduced following criticism brought by a former contractor
regarding university hiring and compensation policies. Adams State officials
clarified that the ACLU did not "win" the case; Danny Ledonne was not
compensated by the university. The university’s insurance company paid the ACLU
attorney fees; the only cost to Adams State was a $2,500 deductible, according
to Waechter.
She
added the persona non grata ban was not, as Mr. Ledonne claimed, in response to
his criticism. The ban was in response to concerns expressed by faculty, staff,
and students. No fault was found against Adams State University or the
administration. In fact, the University continued to comply with all his
requests for information after the ban.
Clarifying Facts: Ledonne vs.
McClure et al.
- Ledonne filed a
motion for a preliminary injunction, arguing that his due process rights were
violated. After a full day of hearing
testimony, Judge Moore denied that motion. - While statements
have been made that he was a professor, Ledonne was never employed as a
tenure-track faculty member. Instead, he
was on a one-year, temporary contract that ended May 2015. He was not an employee of Adams State
University when he was issued the persona non grata. - On two occasions,
Ledonne applied for a tenure-track faculty position which he did not
receive. Ultimately, a faculty search
committee filled the position with a highly qualified individual. - The settlement
with ACLU has a provision that Ledonne is to have no contact with a female
professor who was on the selection committee that chose another candidate. This
restriction from contact is for a one-year period. - As part of the
settlement, the University’s insurance carrier agreed to pay a portion of the
ACLU attorneys’ fees. By doing so, this allowed the University to focus on its
mission, rather than continued litigation. The agreement ultimately saved the
University time and money. - After the Board
of Trustees failed to create an unfunded position specifically for him at his
request at the October 2, 2015, meeting, Ledonne posted a number of articles
critical of Adams State University. - The University
has continuously complied with all of Ledonne’s requests for information,
regardless of the intended use of the information, and even after the issuance
of the persona non grata. The persona non grata did not impact his access to
information, nor did it restrain his ability to advocate his position – he
continued to have access to University records. - Ledonne will only
have the same access to the campus that other members of the general public
have.
Adams State prides
itself on being a leader in the Colorado community, particularly in the
southern and western regions of the state. The university is a strong supporter
of a diverse on-campus community and the Hispanic population of Colorado as a
Federal HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution), affirming enrollment of at least 25
percent Hispanic students. Adams State’s current undergraduate Hispanic
enrollment is roughly 35 percent. Adams State University serves as a vital
engine of education and economic prosperity. As one of the single largest
employers in the region, Adams State will continue to provide jobs and a
high-quality education to people locally. Adams State University is committed
to providing a high-achievement and high-altitude learning environment to
people from all over the world.
