The blogger “Cookman Rebel” describes herself as a mother of two who’s worked for Bethune-Cookman University for seven years. She admits that she’s usually passive at her workplace, doing what she’s told when she’s told.But lately, she hasn’t been able to sleep at night because she feels B-CU “is basically being run like a plantation.” That’s led her to speak out.
On her Ning social networking website, Cookman Rebel, she and a growing group of B-CU supporters pull no punches. They accuse President Trudie Kibbe Reed of hiring incompetent administrators, unfairly dismissing employees who stand up to her, trying to dismantle the School of Social Sciences, and endangering the entire university’s accreditation.
The blog posts identify Vice-President of Academic Affairs Castell Bryant (FAMU’s former interim president), as Reed’s top “hatchet woman.” Cookman Rebel calls her “a very nasty old lady who abuses her power, uses individuals, and destroys the careers of those who stand in her way.”
The site encourages all the registered members to share every detail they can about any wrongdoing committed by the administration.
Cookman Rebel says that next: “We plan to contact the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, American Association of University Professors, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, The University Senate of the United Methodist Church, US & FL Departments of Education, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, various media outlets, and any other options available to save the University.”
Check out the site here.
Wow these two are doing nothing to help black women reputations in those posistions. Amazing that folks keep hiring Castell with her reputation.
ReplyDeleteRunning to SACS & the BOG won't solve all of your problems. We have to stop this "Negro Panic Mess" and resolve our problems from within. Stop behaving like a bunch of misguided savages and use your intelligence for a change.
ReplyDeleteThey really need help at "BCU" When TR was selected as thier new president over H.L. they should have known that was some BS, and the community I will bet doesnt know half the people on thier BOT or how they were/are selected. SAD SAD SAD!!! When TR was chosen as the President the Chair of their Board was the former President of FSU! This was a man who knew and saw the work first hand of H.L. and still went with this woman? Well, I think the BCU folk need to find out who is TRULY "LEADING" Them. Then and only then can they rebel, becasuing knowing is half the battle!
ReplyDeleteLooks like their president has taken up the look of Cazzie B as well as her method of administration.
ReplyDeleteBirds of a feather, flock together!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I recall, the BCC BOT selected Dr. Lewis as their choice for president, but the BCC Alumni Association got involved and said that a Rattler would not led their institution (now that is the first crazy part). The second crazy part was the hiring of former iterm president CVB! It appears that Bryant is up to her usual tricks. Lets hope that their alumni is as active and voical as ours was during that regime. God Bless BCU!
ReplyDeleteSome of us remember that Tyrone McGriff came in and did a wonderful job as an interim football coach and probably deserved a chance to be the head coach at BCC.
ReplyDeleteThe same element that fought that fought Henry Lewis.
All because of their Rattler background. If they are i'gnant enough to promote that foolishness, along with going along with the hiring of CVB, they are to blame for their predicament.
Our two schools have worked together before and they definitely wouldn't have a band program to speak of if not for FAMUans comin in to create it. We all need to hold hands on issues like education. I don't know where they get this rival attitude from anyhow, rivalries require near 50-50 win margins. lol
ReplyDeletePlease, if a BCC graduate was going to be named president of FAMU, the Rattlers would have a stroke.
ReplyDeleteBut no BCC /U grad would ever rise to that level of competency!!!
ReplyDeleteI would hope that if BCU had an individual that had the backgroup of bringing in the type of money, faculty and students that Lewis has, we would not hesitate in hiring that person. I think in order to be great you have to hire the best person for the job. I doesn't matter where you start but how and where you end. Remember, Humphries graduated from FAMU but is probably one of the best presidents that TSU has ever had, and we are truly rivals. On another note, how many UF alumns have been president of FSU or vice versa.
ReplyDeleteLOL! @ 6:17PM
ReplyDeleteBCU: Please keep CVB. If you get rid of her, who knows where her next port of call will be and how much damage she will do there. Hell! Somebody might even be silly enough to hire her back at FAMU! I shudder at the thought! BCU; please take it on the chin for the gipper!
ReplyDeleteTo: 6/22/2009 7:59 AM
ReplyDeleteYou said "We have to stop this "Negro Panic Mess" and resolve our problems from within."
Why can't we be open to help from others. I think that the mess that Morris Brown, BCC, FAMU and other HBCUs have gotten into would tell us that maybe the way things are going aren't working. Maybe getting outside help is necessary - - forget that, it IS necessary. It is misguided and egotistical to think that the only one to rely on is yourself. A wise man is one who knows when seek help from others." That goes for Universities too.
We have strong partnerships with "other" schools. We are and were just in different situations and we are coming out of that. Honestly we have as much to learn form each other.
ReplyDeleteWe have strong partnerships with "other" schools. We are and were just in different situations and we are coming out of that. Honestly we have as much to learn form each other.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe that someone chose TR over HL. That's just sad. sad. sad. sad.
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon!
ReplyDeletePresident Trudie Kibbe Reed asked me to post Bethune-Cookman University's official press statement for your information and review, in order to dispell the misinformation circulating regarding the recent news coverage at Bethune-Cookman Unviersity. I am also posting a link to a WESH Channel 2 news story that aired last night, which provides further information surrounding the case.
Please note that President Reed did not authorize WESH news to indicate the department under investigation as being the department of Social Sciences. The department under question has not been released by the B-CU administration at this time. Therefore, this portion of the news report cannot be confirmed and should not be considered factual.
Thank you,
Bethune-Cookman University Administration
You can view the WESH video at http://www.wesh.com/news/19836698/detail.html.
The official press statement follows:
For Immediate Release Contact: Liz Poston
June 16, 2009 386-481-2919
Bethune Cookman Terminates Four Faculty Members for Sexual Harassment
Report to Be Made Available to State and Federal Agencies
Bethune-Cookman University announced today that it has terminated four faculty members for sexual harassment of students. According to a report compiled by an independent investigator, the faculty members were engaged in inappropriate conduct with female students.
The investigation was launched after a female student made a formal complaint directly to President Trudie Kibbe Reed at the urging of a trusted faculty member in whom the student had confided.
“I want to commend both the faculty member and the student who brought this conduct to my attention,” noted President Reed. “Coming forward demonstrated courage and an abiding commitment to the high moral standards of this University. It is in keeping with those standards that I took immediate action to investigate the charges and remove the faculty members based on the evidence revealed in that investigation. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated at Bethune-Cookman University. ”
Immediately upon hearing the allegations, President Reed hired an independent investigator to conduct an inquiry. Because of the seriousness of the charges, the faculty members in question were immediately suspended and removed from campus during the investigation. Additionally, President Reed notified officials of the Daytona Beach Police Department.
The independent investigator conducted interviews with faculty, staff and students. The University also conducted detailed student surveys of classes connected to the alleged misconduct.
B-CU’s in-house attorney and official outside legal counsel reviewed the investigator’s report. The faculty members were subsequently terminated at the end of the spring semester, upon the advice of counsel.
Bethune-Cookman University is notifying all relevant state and federal funding and accrediting agencies including the U.S. Department of Education, the Florida State Board of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The complete investigative report will be made available to these agencies upon request.
“This kind of behavior has no place on any college campus – particularly a church-related, values-based institution like Bethune-Cookman University. I am shocked and appalled that it happened here,” commented President Reed. “But, this isn’t something to be swept under the rug. It will be dealt with immediately and with a clear message – not on this campus, not with our students.”
Bethune-Cookman University will conduct additional orientation sessions for student, faculty and staff addressing sexual harassment issues and reinforcing the University’s code of conduct.
# # #
Let the damage control begin...!
ReplyDeleteSo BCU officals are responding to internet blogs now?
ReplyDeleteWOW! There must be some serious stuff going on at BCU, and some of the things posted on Cookman Rebel’s blog must be true if the BCU administration feels the need to comment on their cite as well as rattlernation. I wonder if Dr. Bryant still reads our blog, if so....good riddance!!!
ReplyDeleteI would hope for BC-U's sake, that the aforementioned post was from an impostor. Otherwise, that's just embarrassing(for Reed)...
ReplyDeleteBCU,
ReplyDeleteDr. Reed doesn't have to "authorize" news to release certain information, THEY AIN'T BEHOLDEN TO HER !!!!
Also, I notice that you didn't deny the accuracy of the report, but just casted doubt on in it.
Help them? You're kiddin' right? Some of their alumni were warned of the hire of CVB and they pretty much laughed at us and basically told us to mind our business...
ReplyDelete...so eff'em.
I'm finding out that many don't like Dr. Reed and are not aware of what's being reported here. They have allowed their dislike for Dr. Reed to keep them uninformed of what's going on at their alma mater..and they really don't care so why should I?
I'm a proud graduate of The Florida A & M University and supporting my school financially and by any other means is my only concern....
"So BCU officals are responding to internet blogs now?"
ReplyDeleteLOL
I was thinking the same thing.