Nov 25

Nov 25 Under scrutiny, RCTC president offers to meet 1-on-1 with employees

Leslie McClellon, the embattled president of Rochester Community and Technical College, is offering school employees the opportunity to meet with her one-on-one or in small groups.

The invitation was sent out Tuesday in an email to all campus employees. McClellon will also hold a "Chat with the President" session for faculty and staff next Wednesday from 2-3 p.m.

While McClellon regularly holds campus chats with students and staff, this was the first time the president's office has offered the opportunity to meet directly with her, according to one campus employee.

Now in her second year, McClellon is struggling to restore faith in her administration after a series of questionable purchases and personnel decisions.

On Monday, a joint letter was sent to the chancellor of the state college system on behalf of RCTC students, faculty and staff. It marked the first time the three groups have collectively asked for MnSCU to intervene.

We are writing to express the grave concerns of the faculty, AFSCME employees, and students of the Rochester Community and Technical College about the administration of President Leslie McClellon. Without quick and decisive change, we fear McClellon’s administration will irreparably harm the reputation of RCTC, lower the quality of education we offer our students and alienate our community partners.

McClellon responded by acknowledging that she received a copy of the letter.

College leadership and I appreciate the questions and concerns addressed in the letter, and continue to welcome the opportunity to discuss the concerns to those represented on the communication. We are encouraged by the groups and individuals who are taking the time to dialogue with us in order to address the issues. Our students are our number one priority--that’s why we’re here.

The situation at RCTC has attracted statewide attention in recent days. Here are two stories by the Star Tribune and BringMeTheNews.

Critics of the administration have set up a website, "Save RCTC," with a timeline of events for what it describes as "the current crisis of leadership."