Less than a week after independent investigators found “no credible evidence” of discrimination against Ken Coopwood, Missouri State University’s first black vice president announced his resignation.
Coopwood, who was hired in 2011 as vice president for diversity and inclusion, will work at the university until April 30, according to a news release.
Last week, John Hammons Jr., Nicole Hutson and Jessica Hill of Ellis, Ellis, Hammons & Johnson PC –
retained Dec. 7 by the MSU Board of Governors – released a report that found Coopwood had not been discriminated against due to his race. The investigators’ report came roughly four weeks after the board received a MoveOn.org petition, started by Du’Sean Howard of Kojo LLC, alleging Coopwood was subjected to discrimination. MSU authorized up to $40,000 for the investigation.
“I agreed to the investigation and actively participated in it,” Coopwood said in the release this afternoon. “I think that the investigative team took the matter seriously and conducted a thorough investigation.
“While I accept the investigation and its findings, I have decided it would be best for me to pursue other professional opportunities.”
In an executive summary of the report available on the university’s website, the investigators found Coopwood’s initial 2011 salary of $112,000 was above the $99,779 average for a person in his position reported by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources – used by the school to determine staff salary ranges. Coopwood’s 2015-16 salary is $120,402.
The summary also states the method for determining the division for diversity and inclusion’s operating budget is the same as other divisions at the university, and that Coopwood was part of the decision-making process that led to the restructuring of his division and four student service departments being moved to the Division of Student Affairs. His office’s current budget is $397,727, up from $280,456 in 2013.
Investigators interviewed 38 individuals to provide background information regarding Coopwood’s employment at MSU, determine if any had information that substantiated allegations of discrimination, identify other potential witnesses and obtain documents containing relevant information.
The summary states Coopwood identified 12 of the 38 witnesses interviewed. In addition to Howard, five potential witnesses suggested by Coopwood declined to be interviewed by the investigators. The MSU news release noted school policy prevents sharing the identities of the interviewees or specific information regarding internal complains and personnel issues. According to the report, 34 of those interviewed worked with Coopwood at some point at the university and 13 worked under him in his office. The interviewees comprised a mix of races, both male and female.
“There are many people at the university and throughout Springfield who are committed to ensuring that the Missouri State campus is known for being a place of inclusion, and I am confident that the good work will continue on campus and in the community after my departure,” Coopwood said in the release this afternoon.
MSU President Clif Smart said the university would “aggressively” search for an internal candidate to fill Coopwood’s position. He said, ideally, that would happen this week.
“We’ve come a long way regarding diversity and inclusion and will continue to make progress going forward,” Smart said in the release.
