Group of attorneys to review personnel issues at Lincoln University
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
On Thursday afternoon, the Lincoln Board of Curators announced that a group of attorneys from the Lewis Rice Law Firm will review personnel issues within the university.
ABC 17 News obtained a statement from the Board of Curators stating:
"As a Board, we are focused on having an independent expert promptly examine all of the facts so that we can take appropriate steps,” Board President Victor Pasley said in the statement. “As a University community, we want to prioritize the mental health of everyone here and make sure each employee and student is treated with dignity and respect.”
The university has been facing criticism following the death of Vice President of Student Affairs Antoinette "Bonnie" Candia-Bailey, who died by suicide on Jan. 8. Bailey left a memo on the day of her death outlining several complaints over the university's president John Moseley, prompting students to protest, asking the board for more accountability.
Lincoln University President John Mosley volunteered to be put on administrative leave. The university went with Stevie Lawrence, provost and vice president of academic affairs, to serve as acting president.
Senior at Lincoln University Daenisha Dudley said she believes the hiring of the attorneys is being done by the university to protect itself.
"I don't think that the lawyers really know about the personal issue that took place," Dudley said. "They're just here to protect them on what to say and to make sure that Lincoln is not digging a deeper hole than what's already here."
According to the board, the group of attorneys, lead by Ronald Norwood and Jerina Phillips will examine the university's management of personnel issues and address concerns over allegations made by Bailey.
An online biography on the Lewis Rice law firm states that in 2014, Norwood served on the Harris-Stowe University Board of Regents, a historically black college in St. Louis. He also worked at the University of Missouri's School of Law Foundation and Campaign Committees.
According to Phillips' biography, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and has represented both public and private universities.
The review is scheduled to begin this week and should be completed within the coming weeks.
The board is not able to comment on specific personnel information, citing confidentiality constraints. However, regular progress of the review will be shared.
According to an online obituary, a funeral service is scheduled for Bailey is 11 a.m. Saturday in Joliet, Illinois.
