Halifax College's Embattled President Placed On Administrative Leave

The Board of Trustees placed its embattled president of eight years, Ted Gasper, on paid administrative leave.

The State Board of Community Colleges ordered the suspension until an investigation of Gasper is complete. The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor is investigating several complaints from people saying they were badly treated by Gasper, who has come under fire for dropping courses without notice and firing experienced instructors.

Among the 20 allegations against Gasper on file with the State board of Community Colleges in Raleigh are acccusations about his behavior as president, missing college money and breaking state laws.

Gasper's supporters feel his critics have overlooked what he has accomplished for the campus. Among them, was the Halifax County NAACP.

"This school never had the diversity prior to 1998 that it has today," said David Harvey, a representative for the group.

Halifax Community College's vice president of instructional services, Joy Cooley, was appointed acting president.

"We need to focus on the students and on the staff and on the faculty so that everyone can take care of business and attend to our misssion," Cooley said.

In another directive from the state, the college's board of trustees elected a seven-member committee to review the complaints against Gasper. It will have about a month to investigate and recommend what action should be taken.

The school's investigation is separate from two other investigation underway by the state auditor and the State Bureau of Investigation.