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On June 2, 2020, the President’s Council, consisting of the former President and eight high-level University Administrators, adopted and approved a resolution announcing a voluntary 5% salary reduction for its members to be applied to the period July 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. This resolution, signed by all members of the Council, was then presented as part of the former President’s quarterly report to the Board and shared further through campus news coverage of the Board meeting. Despite these announcements, KSU’s former Payroll Director and HR Director each stated that they were advised by the former EVP for Finance not to make any changes as the cut would not be implemented. Furthermore, it appears the matter was not brought back up to the Board or campus community. KSU payroll records confirm that a salary reduction for the former President and eight other members of the former President’s Council did not occur. While the 5% salary reduction would have resulted in only minor cost savings for the University, the willful disregard to implement this intended action demonstrates both a toxic work environment and unprincipled leadership. Additionally, four members of the President’s Council received bonus compensation later in the same fiscal year, March 2021, as discussed further in Finding 10.
The SVP for Brand Identity and University Relations is the only current KSU employee who served on the President’s Council during the prior administration. According to the SVP, the President’s Council was what is currently referred to as the President’s Cabinet, with two exceptions: (1) when the bodies convened and (2) who the President invited to attend. The SVP stated that the Council had no decision-making authority and stated its focus was on keeping every department at the University informed of the University’s work and how to move forward as directed by the President. At the time of the President’s Council Resolution, the Council included nine members: (1) former President, (2) former EVP for Finance and Administration, (3) SVP for Brand Identity and University Relations, (4) former Acting Provost & VP of Academic Affairs, (5) former VP for Student Engagement & University Relations, (6) former General Counsel, (7) former Executive Director for Government and Economic Innovation, (8) former Chief of Staff and Director for Strategic Initiatives, and (9) former Acting Director of Athletics. See signed President’s Resolution dated June 2, 2020 at Appendix E.
When asked why the reduction did not occur and who made the determination to not implement the resolution, the former General Counsel stated that she was unaware the resolution was not implemented. However, she was aware that she did not get a reduction to her salary. After noticing her salary was not reduced, the former General Counsel asked the former EVP for Finance about the matter and he advised her that the resolution did not apply to her because she was not a vice president and did not receive the same level of compensation. That was the only conversation she had discussing the matter. The former General Counsel stated that it was her understanding at the time The former General Counsel was not aware that the resolution was not implemented but she knew her salary was not reduced.
The former General Counsel was not aware that the resolution was not implemented but she knew her salary was not reduced.
the resolution was signed that it was not definitive that the reduction was going to happen.
However, language contained in the resolution appears definitive. The only portion of the resolution that indicates the potential for uncertainty is when consideration will be given to