MU Title IX leader finalist is former Boone Co. prosecutor: I’m not afraid to make tough decisions

Finalists for the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights, Title XI and ADA are visiting MU’s campus this week.

Andrea “Andy” Hayes, who has served in the interim Title IX role since August, is vying for the position and was the first finalist to speak in an open forum to faculty, staff and students today.

Hayes doesn’t come from a traditional higher ed background-she served as the assistant prosecuting attorney in Boone County from 2007 to 2015. As prosecutor, Hayes handled the case against Derrick Washington, a former Mizzou football player who was convicted of sexual assault.

During the forum, Hayes touted her ability to make tough and unbiased decisions as one of the reasons why she’s fit for the role. She told students, staff and faculty that she isn’t afraid to make difficult decisions and won’t be influenced by outside pressure.

“I need to feel like I can make a decision even if the president of the university disagrees with that decisions and have the backbone to stand up for that,” she said. “I think that being a prosecutor for as long as I was, making a lot of unpopular decisions and making lots of people mad, has really given me the ability to do that, to be really strong in that regard.”

Hayes was also asked how she plans to improve campus climate in the aftermath of the 2015 protests.

“It sounds like there was a definitely a lack of transparency and communication and people needed to be heard. And I think for us, it’s outreach.”

Kevin McDonald, MU Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity announced the nationwide search back in October. While the university chose to use an internal search firm in order to cut costs, the search still requires money and resources at a time of tough budget challenges.

“I think we have tried really hard to be good stewards,” search firm committee co-chair Tina Bloom told ABC 17 News when asked how she might respond to backlash if an internal candidate is chosen. “But it’s also equally important to do a thorough search to make sure that we have the most qualified candidate and you don’t really know until you get out there and look at the pool.”

Ellen Eardley previously served as assistant vice chancellor for civil rights & Title IX. Her resignation was effective Sept. 2.

The second finalist, Robinette Kelly, Associate Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Equity at North Carolina State University, will speak at a forum Tuesday.