Top Hispanics seek probe of college chief's ouster

College president's removal prompts calls for inquiry

Nancy Mitchell, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Some prominent Hispanic leaders on Tuesday called for an investigation into the dismissal of Community College of Denver President Christine Johnson, seeking assurances her ouster was not politically motivated.

"I am not confident the process leading to the dismissal was fair," said state Sen. Paula Sandoval, D-Denver. "My perception is Dr. Johnson was not treated with the dignity and respect she deserved."

Sandoval was among a dozen community leaders who urged Gov. Bill Ritter and state lawmakers to delve into the controversy surrounding the removal of Johnson, the first Hispanic woman to head a college in Colorado.

Ritter's involvement is "unlikely," said spokesman Evan Dreyer.

"The action that was taken was a unanimous decision by the community college board," Dreyer said. "There are ongoing reviews and audits that are under way. Our inclination is to let those run their course."

Nancy McCallin, president of the state's 116,000-student community college system, including the 5,300-student CCD campus, placed Johnson on leave June 19 after auditors had found irregularities in CCD's books.

Johnson also was told that her $144,855-a-year contract would not be renewed July 1. She initially told the Rocky Mountain News she'd been "framed" but since then has declined comment.

The abrupt action shocked many in Denver education circles, where Johnson is known as an advocate for minority and poor students.

Now some are questioning whether that advocacy on behalf of undocumented students, typically children brought into the country illegally by family members seeking work, might have gotten her into trouble.

Jerry Nickell, a member of the community college system governing board, said the documentation of CCD students is one of two areas still being analyzed by forensic fraud investigators.

College access for students without legal paperwork is a hot issue. Such students are supposed to attend college only on non-resident status, meaning they pay much higher tuition rates. They're also not entitled to the same federal financial aid.

"It is well-known Christine Johnson went out and raised private money to assist those students," Nita Gonzales, principal of Escuela Tlatelolco in Denver, said at Tuesday's news conference. "Clearly, she's a pioneer in that as well.

"What role did that play?" Gonzales asked. "We don't know. No one is telling us. We deserve an answer, the whole city deserves an answer."

Nickell was among the community college governing board members who met in closed session June 13 with auditors hired by McCallin to look into CCD. By the end of the presentation, he said, all gave McCallin the informal go-ahead to dismiss Johnson.

"Based on what was presented to us, we did not feel we had any choice," he said.

Tamra Ward, another governing board member, called it a "a difficult and heart-wrenching decision." But, she said, "It is our responsibility to protect the taxpayers and to have the students' best interests in mind."

Still, the community leaders who spoke out Tuesday questioned the dismissal of a president successful in recruiting students who don't always think beyond high school. More than half of CCD students are the first in their families to attend college.

"I hope you do not give up," Richard Garcia, head of the mostly Hispanic Statewide Parents' Coalition, said to Johnson, "and you will continue working for those in need."

mitchelln@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5245