Faculty members file complaint against appointment of new KSU president

Image 1 of 5

Former Attorney General of Georgia, Sam Olens, begins his new job as President of Kennesaw State University next week. Monday, three faculty members filed a formal complaint against Olens' appointment.

The KSU professors said the appointment was not fair. They say the position was never posted and Olens was the only one considered for the job.

“I think it was a done deal before it even came to our attention'” said Professor Valerie Dibble.

Prof. Dibble, Dr. Susan Raines and Dr. Anne Richards all applied for the job. All three said their applications were never acknowledged. They filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission stating their rights were violated when the Board of Regents appointed Olens.

They said Olens's appointment was purely political.

“Mr. Olens is a well-known political figure in Georgia. He's been our Attorney General and has strong connections in Cobb County and with the Governor,” said Dr. Richards.

The three also say Olens isn't qualified to lead a university.

“He lacks a PhD, he's never worked in higher education administration, and to my knowledge, he's never been a professor,” said Dr. Raines.

The faculty members say while it would be great to get the job, what they really want is an open and fair nationwide search for the most qualified person to lead KSU. “That's what we're looking for, for the best candidate to compete and win the job,” said Dr. Raines.

FOX 5 contacted the KSU officials for a response to the complaint, but they declined to comment.