BREAKING: Albert Colom resigns
Vice chancellor for enrollment management Albert Colom has stepped down in the midst of an investigation.
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Albert Colom, vice chancellor for enrollment management, started in his position at UW-Eau Claire on Oct. 1, 2018.
Updated at 1:23 p.m.
Albert Colom, the vice chancellor of enrollment management, resigned from his position this morning.
Colom is facing a UW-System investigation regarding a formal complaint of allegedly discriminating against gender in the workplace.
Recently, Angela Swenson-Holzinger, former associate director of advising, said Colom engaged in “gender-based negative treatment.”
Swenson-Holzinger filed her complaint with Teresa O’Halloran, the director of affirmative action, on Feb. 3, which was her last day in her position at UW-Eau Claire. She said Colom regularly disparaged other female leaders on campus in meetings with her.
Following the formal complaint and in the midst of the investigation regarding allegations against him, at 9:37 a.m., Chancellor James Schmidt sent an email announcing Colom’s resignation.
Colom’s resignation letter is as follows:
I have informed Chancellor Jim Schmidt that I am stepping down from my position as Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. I told Chancellor Schmidt it has become increasingly apparent to me that, regardless of the outcome of the current investigation of allegations made against me, I am no longer able to effectively serve UW-Eau Claire in a senior leadership role. It is my belief this is in the best interest of the University.
I came to UW-Eau Claire because I believed in the vision of strategic enrollment management set forth by Chancellor Schmidt. I am proud to have served with the enrollment management team in helping the university take a number of important steps on the path toward achieving those strategic enrollment goals.
I am grateful to Chancellor Schmidt for giving me the opportunity to serve UW-Eau Claire.
Schmidt explained in the email to faculty, staff and student leaders that Colom had informed him he was stepping down as vice chancellor for enrollment management.
Schmidt said Colom’s reason for doing so was he no longer believes he is able to effectively serve UW-Eau Claire in a senior leadership role.
According to Schmidt, this change is effective immediately — Colom’s last day in office was Friday, Feb. 21, and his resignation from UW-Eau Claire will be effective Sept. 2, 2020.
Despite his resignation, Schmidt said the current investigation of Colom is ongoing and he remains committed to a timely completion.
This is an ongoing story. Updates to come.
Dirks can be reached at [email protected]
Original story posted at 9:54 a.m.
At 9:37 a.m., Chancellor James Schmidt sent an email announcing Albert Colom’s resignation. The email is as follows.
Dear Faculty, Staff and Student Leaders:
Vice Chancellor Albert Colom has informed me that he is stepping down as Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. He communicated to me that he no longer believes he is able to effectively serve UW-Eau Claire in a senior leadership role.
This change is effective immediately. His last day in the office was Friday, February 21, and his resignation from our University will be effective September 2, 2020. While he will no longer be working on campus or supervising employees, he will be re-assigned duties related to his extensive enrollment management expertise during this period.
Today I will meet with the Enrollment Management directors as well as with all employees in the division, shared governance leaders, deans, associate vice chancellors and the executive staff. I will be meeting with UWEC-Barron County faculty and staff on Wednesday. I will be seeking their counsel on how to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities and the continuation of our strategic enrollment management efforts.
The current investigation of Vice Chancellor Colom is ongoing, and I remain committed to a timely completion.
I thank Albert for helping the university make significant progress toward our strategic enrollment goals and his commitment to the success of our students.
I am sharing with you the statement provided to me by Albert Colom.
James C. Schmidt
Chancellor, UW-Eau Claire
Office of the Chancellor
Schofield Hall 204 | Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004 | 715-836-2327
@ChancellorJim | LinkedIn | [email protected]
Statement from Albert Colom
I have informed Chancellor Jim Schmidt that I am stepping down from my position as Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. I told Chancellor Schmidt it has become increasingly apparent to me that, regardless of the outcome of the current investigation of allegations made against me, I am no longer able to effectively serve UW-Eau Claire in a senior leadership role. It is my belief this is in the best interest of the University.
I came to UW-Eau Claire because I believed in the vision of strategic enrollment management set forth by Chancellor Schmidt. I am proud to have served with the enrollment management team in helping the university take a number of important steps on the path toward achieving those strategic enrollment goals.
I am grateful to Chancellor Schmidt for giving me the opportunity to serve UW-Eau Claire.
McKenna Dirks is a fourth-year journalism student and this is her seventh semester on The Spectator staff. She thrives under chaotic environments, loves plants and often gives off "granola girl" vibes with her Blundstone boots.
Gay M. Lustig • Feb 27, 2020 at 8:19 pm
Thank you all for your fine journalism.
It was only a matter of time before the deviant got nailed. I figured he traumatized at least 200-300 people at FAU and we know for a fact due to stress a woman died in our office due to stress placed upon her.
Marianne K. Farrell, Marianne K., of Delray Beach, FL passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2004 at the age of 54. She is survived by her husband James T. Farrell, mother, Joan Knight, brothers John Knight and Peter Knight, sisters Jill Weinberger and Paula Larue. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July…
A Blugold • Feb 24, 2020 at 9:21 pm
“Excellence. Our motto, our measure, our goal.” Say it a hundred times. Say it again a hundred more times.
Blugold_Alumna • Feb 24, 2020 at 1:53 pm
Today we celebrate Angela Swenson-Holzinger, THE SPECTATOR’S student journalists, and all the other brave men and women who left
UW-Eau Claire in order to speak truth to power!
Without THE SPECTATOR journalist’s excellent research, and reporting, Colom’s abuse, permitted by Schmidt, would have continued unabated.
According to the above article, “He [Colom] will no longer be working on campus or supervising employees.” Since Colom’s responsibilities have diminished, it goes without saying that Colom’s salary should decrease accordingly.
Schmidt is on-the-hook for his lack of leadership in this debacle. UW-Eau Claire’s Shared Governance bodies should call for Schmidt to be investigated, in addition to UW-Eau Claire’s Human Resources Director, and its Affirmative Action Director.
At the very least, Faculty Senate should give Schmidt a NO confidence vote!
Now is the time to expose all the impropriety surrounding Schmidt’s unwillingness to stand in the gap for those employees who sought his support. It is also the time to calculate the human, and financial costs accrued because Schmidt failed to act.
Concerned citizen • Feb 24, 2020 at 11:01 am
This is good progress. However the main issue of the chancellor not believing the women remains. He is a player in this too.
Like any bully, Colom creates chaos and then when confronted, turns and runs, only to do it again on another campus. This issue should NOT be swept under the rug. The investigation needs to continue, Schmidt needs to make amends, and all of the women need compensation for lost wages and reputation. True justice does not mean Colom gets to walk away and Schmidt pretends it’s over. True justice is recompense and healing because these women have been harmed!!
What a total waste.
anonymous • Feb 24, 2020 at 10:42 am
This has been the best work that The Spectator has done by far. Great job covering the story and digging into the past to shed light on the present.