Controversy
The College has become embroiled in controversy amid claims of systemic abuse, bullying and victimisation of staff and students, and misappropriation of finances, by senior management. This led to internal investigations by the college's Board of Governors and Vice Principal of HR.
According to the Interested Parties of Adam Smith College (an anonymous group thought to be made up of college staff), the investigations recommendations for dismissal of two Executive Directors, and for the misappropriation of finances, were halted by the senior Board staff. The senior staff of the Board of Governors are the Principal Dr. Craig Thomson and the Chairman of the Board, Graham Graham Johnstone.
Following this three Board members including the Vice Chair resigned, as did the Principal’s Secretary, the Secretary of the Board, and the Vice Principal of HR.
In response, the college’s staff appealed to the Government Cabinet Secretary for Education Michael Russell to step in and act upon the findings of the investigations, and also suspend the Principal and the Board of Governors, while a “transparent investigation by an independent third party” is carried out into their actions.
On Jan 26 2012 the Interested Parties of Adam Smith College group launched the ItsOurCollegeNotCraigs website, which allows staff and public to comment on the situation and sign a petition to the Government. The Government Minister David Torrance was one of the first to comment on the site, encouraging any staff to contact him in confidence.
As of Jan 26 2012, the agenda and minutes of the Board since June 2011 have not been available on the College’s web site, which is a requirement of the Constitution and Standing Orders of the Board of Governors.
On Jan 27 2012 after an emergency Board meeting the Chairman of the Board resigned.
On Jan 28 2012 these events were reported in the national press,
Government Minister David Torrance confirmed that he had been inundated by complaints from staff for months regarding bullying, intimidation, and financial misappropriation, and that the Board and staff resignations had occurred. He said “I have arranged a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education Michael Russell to call on a full external enquiry into these allegations..”.
An Adam Smith College spokesman confirmed that two Executive Directors were already being investigated, saying “These are being fully investigated and will comply with our official procedures.”
Read more about this topic: Adam Smith College
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