By Brad Atzinger
One week after four pan-African studies students and an instructor returned to the U.S. after being left in Belize during a spring break service trip, the department’s head Dr. Ricky Jones issued an ultimatum to the University of Louisville: Offer an acceptable remedy to the situation or the department’s involvement in the program will be permanently terminated.
According to the students left behind – seniors Tekea Minnis and Shauntrice Martin, junior Juanita Scott and freshman Aubrey Kelly – trip leader and Office of Finance employee Kerry Kohl, who could not be reached for comment, intentionally left the students and pan-African studies lecturer in Belize for two nights.
“The only way PAS could remain an active participant in this program would be for us to conclude that all five of our students fabricated their experiences at the Belize and Houston airports with Ms. Kohl,” Jones said in an online statement, “I am not inclined to make such a leap.”
Jones did not comment on calls for Kohl’s termination. He said the department has no interest in “usurping authority and deciding whether Ms. Kohl should be terminated, reprimanded or exonerated without incident. We will leave that to other university officials.” However, Jones did describe Kohl’s alleged actions and behavior as insensitive, mean-spirited and professionally malfeasant.
Findings from a Student Affairs investigation were expected yesterday, but no information was available at press time.
“As of now my decision to terminate our involvement stands. Of course, given proper circumstances, we can always rejoin the program,” Jones said yesterday.
