Students here at KSU are already resisting the imminent appointment of former Attorney General Sam Olens as the new president, taking over for our former president who resigned after an audit scandal in June.
The chaos over Olens' approval is in response to his avid opposition of LGBTQ+ rights during his time as Attorney General and even before that position. He was also against allowing transgender students to use the bathroom of their choosing.
Students are so upset about this that multiple petitions against his appointment as president have arisen and a rally was held Monday, October 3rd at noon on The Green to protest. Hundreds of students were in attendance.
On Monday at 11:42 a.m, Hank Huckaby, Chancellor at KSU, sent out an email to all faculty and students regarding the protests as well as Mr. Olens.
The email reads,
"There has been speculation about this for some time, and up until now, I have remained silent on the matter. Initially, I was planning to conduct a national search to find the next president of Kennesaw State. Yet, through sincere and earnest conversations with Mr. Olens, I now believe he should be considered at this time.
The Board of Regents’ Executive and Compensation Committee is planning to interview Mr. Olens tomorrow at our University System office. While the interview itself will be conducted in executive session, I want you to know that Mr. Olens is being seriously considered for the role of president."
This caused even further unrest, and Tuesday, October 4th, after Mr. Olens' interview, the Chancellor sent out another email reading:
"This afternoon the Board of Regents’ Executive and Compensation Committee interviewed Sam Olens and passed a motion to recommend that the full Board consider and vote on Mr. Olens for the position of president of Kennesaw State University at its next meeting on October 12, 2016.
During the proceedings, Mr. Olens spoke passionately about the role of higher education, his experience as a leader, and his vision for taking Kennesaw State University to the next level."
At the close of the letter, Mr. Huckaby asked "that you keep an open mind" about the decisions.
KSU prides itself on being a liberal university, and for me, college has always been a place where students should freely be able to express themselves. College is advertised to high school students as a place they can finally stop worrying about bullying, stereotypes and hate. They can freely learn about what they love in an accepting environment.
Allowing a bigot to become our president will not only jeopardize this accepting environment but also misrepresent the institution of Kennesaw State University. After the embarrassment of our last president, the last thing we need is another president to do the same.
In a country where gay marriage is legal, we do not need a president who still thinks it is an argument. We do not need students living in fear over whether the president of their university will make rules that discriminate against them or be ashamed that the man representing their school hates a fundamental piece of the person they are. We cannot ask students to have pride in a school led by a man who disapproves of them.
We do not need Sam Olens painting a picture of KSU as an anti-LGBTQ+ university, and as proud KSU students, we have to take a stand.
To sign the petition, click here.
