By Alexa Cheaney and Vanessa Hewitt
Editor’s note: This report was originally posted on Wednesday, Jan. 8 but was taken down to gather more information regarding the current employment status of the professor.
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, around 3:50 p.m. a Grand Rapids Community College police officer received a stalking/harassment complaint from an employee regarding an email she received from her ex-husband that said he was going to show up on campus the following day and get her fired.
According to the report, which The Collegiate obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, the pair was married for 10 years and divorced for four years. Following their divorce, the woman told the officer that her ex-husband had been arrested multiple times, was abusing substances and displaying obsessive behavior.
Around 5 p.m. the same day, the ex-husband called Human Resources at GRCC and reported that he had an inappropriate relationship with his ex-wife back when he was a student at the college. After checking his student records, the responding officer found that the man was enrolled in three of his ex-wife’s courses, one in the fall of 2008 and the other two during the winter of 2011. The woman denied that they had any inappropriate relationship while he was a student, and claimed they instead started dating the following summer and were married in 2012.
According to the police report, the man alleged that the relationship began when he was in one of her classes in 2011. He told her he was unable to get a textbook because his financial aid had not come through and she then invited him to her house to use her textbook. While at her home, he alleged that they had sexual intercourse.
According to what the man told police, the relationship allegedly continued through the winter semester and she got pregnant. After the two found out, he claimed that she told him he couldn’t come back to her class anymore because she could get in trouble and he could lose his grades.
According to the faculty ethics policy at GRCC, which has been in place since 2008, “(Faculty members must) respect the confidential nature of the relationship between faculty member and student. Faculty members refrain from any exploitation, harassment, or discriminatory treatment of students.”
The ex-husband also told the officer he believes that she has another child with a student, but the alleged father was never enrolled in any of her classes.
On May 9 a copy of the police report was turned over to Human Resources, and a copy was given to Title IX on May 10. The case has since been closed.
Lisa Thomas, Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, deferred to Executive Director of Marketing & Communications Lyndsie Post when asked about the status of the investigation and the employment status of the professor.
“The College has addressed this matter in an appropriate manner and consistent with its policies. Privacy and confidentiality considerations preclude GRCC from commenting further,” Post stated in an email to The Collegiate.
A Title IX administrator did not respond when contacted for comment.
For stalking awareness month, the Center for Student Life & Leadership will be providing resources and information for students on January 21 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m at the Lakeshore Campus Atrium.
