East Carolina University's interim chancellor, Dan Gerlach, was placed on leave on Monday, September 30th after photos and videos of him interacting with students at a college bar surfaced. The photos/videos show him as he drinks a beer with students, dances, and makes conversation with his hand on the back of a student's barstool. You can view a video compilation here. ECU authorities are outraged by this, but students seem to have an opposite response.
I met chancellor Dan about a month ago and we had a casual conversation. He asked where I was from, what I was studying, and was very polite and did not make me uncomfortable in any way. I remember thinking that he was very personable and funny, which I appreciated. He is known by students for walking the campus, talking to students, and honestly getting to know the student body better than our previous chancellor ever did… or at least I never saw him make an effort.
Social media is blowing up with hashtags and posts saying, "#IStandWithDan." Students are tweeting, Instagramming, and going to every other platform to convey that they want Gerlach to be reinstated. Even Greenville companies, such as the bar, Club Five19, are standing up for this man. Club Five19 states on their Instagram page (@club_five19), "I've spoken with several people who were at Five19 when chancellor Gerlach was there. Nobody has alleged any inappropriate behavior that I am aware of, unless you count drinking a beer." There is even a petition, created by an ECU student, circulating with over 9,000 signatures, and still going.
Keep in mind, Dan Gerlach is not even a permanent chancellor. He is simply here to clean up ECU's messy budget from the past 3 years. So, the fact that he is making such an effort to connect with students, is commendable.
Students as a whole love that our chancellor is making an effort to know what makes this school what it is, the student population itself. He is doing good for the school and should not be punished for trying to connect on a level that no other chancellors have tried. He should be commended rather than removed from his position. So, I do stand with Dan.
