Reply #92: Follow up article in the Greenville News today. [View All]

[Dems4HowardDean]

About 25 to 30 people were in the meeting where Holcombe made her remarks, Dillard said, but not her immediate supervisor, who is Nancy Welch.

Simpkins said, "It wasn't so long ago when it would have been socially acceptable to use such language because there wouldn't have been African Americans around to hear it in the first place."

"You're speaking of them as less than human, and it goes to the basic dignity of every human being," he said. "It's unfortunate, but it's also a sign that there's still a lot of work to do in terms of race relations."

When asked why it took five days to reach a resolution, Dillard said he was notified of the remark before lunch on Friday by an associate vice president who was not at the meeting but had been told by someone who was. He said his first priority was to make sure Holcombe apologized to the people affected, which he said took place Friday afternoon and Monday.

Barton said he was informed of the matter late Friday, and on Monday the school set about gathering more information about the incident. Holcombe resigned on Tuesday, although Barton said he didn't have official confirmation until Wednesday morning. He said he considers the matter closed, and that no other employee will be disciplined.

Any time the school loses a staff member, Dillard said, it reconsiders the position to determine if it can do without. Holcombe's post was "critical" and will most likely be filled, he said.

The school has two employees at the associate vice president level who are minorities, said Helen Clarkson, director of human resources, one of whom serves on the school's leadership team.

None of its vice presidents are minorities, although Barton said it's "not because we haven't advertised everywhere."

More.


http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050915/NEWS04/509150321