Phi Theta Kappa Director Accused

Phi Theta Kappa is such an important organization to Texas community colleges that a disturbing development simply must be reported here.

The international community college honor society is investigating allegations by two female students that the group's longtime executive director, Rod Risley, sexually harassed them while they were traveling and attending conferences as officers.

One of the women is from Victoria College.

The allegations "have provoked letters of concern from presidents of the two community colleges the students attended, as well as court filings and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints," according to a major article in Inside Higher Ed., by Ashley A. Smith.

You should definitely read the entire piece for details and context. Dr. Risley denies the allegations.

As is always the case in such matters, the parties are instructed by counsel not to comment publicly while the facts are explored. Official investigations have commenced.

Comments

[Rachel Reeck and Toni Marek]

One year ago we brought our concerns to a handful of Phi Theta Kappa staff, with a plea to keep our allegations confidential while an investigation was launched. We have taken great pains since that first request to do just that.

During this past year, our colleges and our advisors have joined us in this mission to privately advocate for a truly independent investigation into these allegations. Even with their support, we have been largely ignored by Phi Theta Kappa, up until the recent Inside Higher Education article.

In it, Dr. Risley “called the allegations false,” claiming that “PTK is aware of [the allegations] and that the complaints made by Reeck and Marek have been dismissed.” By their own admission, our complaints were dismissed as false, without an investigation.

Kip Johnson, Board Chair, released a statement claiming to have “authorized a thorough and independent investigation;” however, the law firm selected to conduct the current investigation is one that is regularly retained by Phi Theta Kappa. This is not conducive to a truly independent investigation.

Please help us to advocate for a wholly independent investigation, conducted by a party that is without the affiliation, influence, or control of Phi Theta Kappa. Supporting this independent investigation will allow the organization to truly focus on its mission to “recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students.”

We are not asking you to take sides in this matter; all of Phi Theta Kappa benefits from an independent investigation to reveal the truth.

Please visit the interactive timeline to see more in depth details of the events:

http://www.andthenshespokeup.com/#!timeline/c23sv