SWVCTC's Alderman placed on administrative leave; interim president appointed

Joe Jenkins, who is the Council’s attorney, said Dennison will be paid $100 per hour, which is based off a salary of $195,000 per year. He said it’s anticipated that Dennison’s contract will be extended beyond June 30.

The Council’s Monday morning meeting was held on an “emergency� basis due to “additional and serious concerns regarding the overall governance and operational stability of the institution.� They further stated in the meeting agenda that it was also due to “the urgent nature of these concerns and out of a belief that further delay could result in imminent and substantial harm to the institution and its ability to effectively serve its students, faculty, and staff.�

During the meeting, Vice Chancellor Chris Treadway read a resolution that placed Alderman on leave and removed all of her powers and access to the college’s facilities and programs. Treadway said that since the March 19 Board of Governors meeting — in which Alderman’s powers were limited by the Board — Alderman has continued to violate restrictions placed on her by the Board.

“The president has taken actions in apparent violation of restrictions placed upon her by the board, including unauthorized communications with (the Higher Learning Committee) and unauthorized participation in media interviews despite clear directives to the contrary,� Treadway said.

The Council’s resolution also took power over the Board of Governors, which will limit them from appointing, dismissing or overseeing a president for two years.

Christina Cameron, who serves as the Council’s chair, said the move marks the first time the body has ever made such a decision.

“I would just like to take a moment just to say that this is not something that we as a council have taken lightly,� Cameron said. “It was a hard decision to make, and I would like to thank the members of the Council and the folks at the CTC office for their guidance during this difficult transition.�

Treadway outlined some of the accusations against Alderman during the March 19 meeting that have led to the decisions. They include:

• Attempting to purchase a luxury vehicle in excess of $90,000
• Telling board members to file Freedom of Information Act requests for information that should be readily available to them
• Terminating three employees who filed grievances against her
• Sending complaints against the Board of Governors to the Higher Learning Commission
• Appointing her ex-husband Bill Alderman to a high position at the college

Alderman has denied much of the allegations and even fired back at Treadway publicly on March 19.

“You said you have lost confidence in me, but I have lost confidence in the commission,� Alderman said. “I’ve called numerous times asking for help. I called numerous times to talk to the chancellor and was told we don’t get into that, you have to handle that, you have to figure that out, we cannot give you that information. I was given no information at all. You don’t want to listen to the truth, and we are here with the truth.�