The embattled members of Pima Community College’s Governing Board were called on to resign at last night’s Board meeting as a result of the findings in a report released this week which found that they had failed to act on complaints of harassment and abuse. New Board member Dr. Sylvia Lee was exempt from the criticism.
Lee has won a great deal of respect from the community for her willingness to be open and honest about the college’s failings.
The large crowd in attendance heard one of the victims of abuse ask for an apology, “For you to sit there and say we weren’t credible, I found that deeply offensive and I want an apology.”
Board member Scott Stewart, who has “lost all credibility” according staff members speaking last night, apologized to the woman.
Calls went out for the Board to fire the administrators who were a part of the Flores/Miles administration.
A leader of an employee group told the Board that credibility will not be restored as long as “some of the people in positions of authority remain unchanged.”
Many of the College’s problems stem from the actions of former Chancellor Roy Flores, who had been the accused of sexual harassment and questionable spending.
None of the Board members agreed to step down. However, on Tuesday, Miles decided to step down from the Interim Chancellor’s position. In a letter sent to the staff and students, Miles admitted that “it has now become clear that my continued service as Interim Chancellor could be viewed as an obstacle to moving forward.”
In the report, investigators said that it was hard to believe that Miles was not aware of the actions of Flores.