MSU hires investigator to review allegations of 'racist treatment'
The governing board of Missouri State University has hired an outside investigator to conduct an independent review of allegations — made in an online petition — that the institution's top black official suffered "racist treatment."
MSU Board of Governors Chair Stephen Hoven announced Monday that the university contracted with Springfield law firm Ellis, Ellis, Hammons & Johnson to investigate the treatment of Ken Coopwood, vice president of diversity and inclusion.
"While we feel Dr. Coopwood has been treated fairly as an employee of Missouri State, in the interest of openness and transparency we have engaged an outside investigator to conduct an independent review of the allegations and charges that have been made via the petition," Hoven said.
The MoveOn petition alleged the university's first black vice president has been the victim of "despicable and hostile" behavior by his own staff and has been marginalized and discriminated against by the administration. The petition, started in late November by local business owner Du'Sean Howard, was submitted late Thursday to the MSU board.
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Howard said the allegations in the petition were based on numerous conversations with Coopwood, whom he considers a "close friend." Coopwood declined the News-Leader's interview request last week but stated, by email, that he was "thankful for the support of the petitioners and their due diligence to bring sensitive matters to light."
Following the board's announcement, MSU President Clif Smart issued a statement but noted he would have "no other comments regarding the situation while the investigation is in progress."
"Missouri State University prides itself on dealing openly and honestly with issues facing our campus. I completely support the Board of Governors’ decision to engage an independent investigator to review the allegations made by Dr. Coopwood," Smart said, in the statement. "I am confident the outcome will prove that we have treated him fairly and with respect."
The lead investigator will be attorney John D. Hammons, Jr. He will have the assistance of two other attorneys from his office, Jessica Hill and Nicole Hutson.
MSU officials said the goal is to complete the investigation by Dec. 30. The university has budgeted up to $40,000 for the work.
It is unclear when and if the final results of the investigation could be made public. The university stated that, as with all personnel issues, the outcome of the inquiry is "confidential and will not be made available to the public unless the concerned party — or parties — are in agreement."
"Missouri State University prides itself on dealing openly and honestly with personnel issues," Hoven said, in a written statement. "Although we have internal processes for the submission of complaints, including those of discrimination, university policy prevents us from sharing information about internal complaints or other personnel matters."
The petition, signed by 116 people, called on the MSU board to "investigate Dr. Coopwood's experience since moving to Springfield" — and, if needed, bring the petition to the attention of Gov. Jay Nixon.
Reached Monday, Howard said he accomplished his goal of drawing attention to the situation but now plans to step aside so Coopwood can address any specific concerns that have been raised.
"The community needs to know the facts," said Howard, who founded the website www.cureracism.org in 2012. "I am happy that they are taking the allegations seriously and they are going to investigate."
The Springfield NAACP and Minorities In Business released a joint statement Friday signalling strong support for the progress the university has made to improve diversity and inclusion calling for the allegations to be "addressed completely and resolved."
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"Recent charges of racism and bias from this office certainly have our attention and we feel that we have asked the appropriate questions," the groups wrote. "We currently assert that these matters are of a personnel nature and need to be handled by the policies and procedures of Missouri State."
The groups stated they wanted the issue to be "fairly dealt with" and a plan established for how to move forward.
"We have been assured by the administration that this is, in fact, a shared goal," they wrote. "We will continue to work with the university in this regard until we see clear reasons to do otherwise. We stand united in this regard."
Hoven said the university appreciates the "support and confidence expressed by organizations across Springfield."
Howard, who started the petition, bristled at the suggestion, by the university and others, that this is a personnel matter that ought to be dealt with internally.
"People need to understand that the situation involving Dr. Coopwood and the university is not just a personnel matter — but also a community matter," he said.