BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — During a SUNY Erie Community College Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, it was announced that President Dr. David Balkin has been suspended with pay pending an investigation.
The announcement was made after the board spent about two hours in an executive session.
When the board came out of executive session the following was said:
"Alright, we have come out of executive session. While in executive session we covered matters involving the employment of two particular individuals and took no formal action during executive session, but we are taking an action now and I'll ask for the motion.
At this time I would like to make a motion based on allegations brought to the board to formally suspend the president with pay pending investigation."
The board then voted and the motion was carried. The meeting was then adjourned.
In a release, the following statement was provided:
"The SUNY Erie Board of Trustees voted today to suspend President David Balkin with pay, to allow for an investigation regarding allegations filed with the college’s Human Resources Department.
The complaints followed a recent conversation regarding the college’s operations between a staff member and the president. The matter will be investigated by an appointed third party.
The college’s Provost, Dr. Adiam Tsegai, will handle day-to-day operations at the college during the investigation.
Neither the college nor the board will comment further on the matter until the investigation is completed."
The SUNY Board of Trustees appointed Balkin as the 12th President of ECC in February.
