By Clara Neupert, Bridget Kelley and Madeline Fuerstenberg, for The Spectator
At least eight former and current UW-Eau Claire employees say the adverse behavior of Albert Colom, vice-chancellor of enrollment management, prompted them either to quit the university completely or shift roles within it.
To read a subsequent Spectator article (posted Feb. 20) on this situation, click here. That article provides reports from employees at campuses where Albert Colom worked before coming to UW-EC in 2018. The article also has comments posted below it that may be of interest.
For prior Spectator coverage of situation, click here.
Colom faces a UW-Shared Services investigation following a written complaint filed on Feb. 3, alleging workplace gender discrimination. An investigation is expected to begin within two weeks.
The formal complaint came from Angela Swenson-Holzinger, the university’s former associate director of advising who left her job the day she filed it. Others who have spoken out include the former director and associate director of admissions, who both left UW-EC during the spring semester of 2019.
The Spectator tried to contact Colom for comment via phone and email but received no response. Reporters waited outside his office on Friday, Feb. 14, in an attempt to schedule an interview but Colom left his office via an alternate exit.
NOTE: On Wednesday afternoon, Chancellor James Schmidt sent a brief statement to UW-EC faculty and staff. To read it, click here.
At a University Senate meeting three days earlier, faculty raised concerns about Colom, who joined UW-EC in 2018. In response, Chancellor James Schmidt announced the impending investigation of the formal complaint.
To read this Spectator story in its entirety, click here.
Note: Clara Neupert is “Currents” editor for The Spectator. She is a fourth-year journalism student and is also the executive producer of “Engage Eau Claire” on Blugold Radio Sunday.
Bridget Kelley is The Spectator’s managing editor. She is a third-year journalism student at UW-EC, and was the paper’s news editor in the fall semester.
Madeline Fuerstenberg, also a third-year journalism student, is in her second semester as editor-in-chief of The Spectator. She is also the CVPost‘s community reporter.
The home page photo of Schofield Hall was taken by Spectator staff photographer Alee Erickson.