About a dozen students and staff members gathered on Monday afternoon outside the C.J. Barber Administration Building at Fayetteville State University to protest the apparent termination of several university staff members.
They didn’t carry picket signs or bullhorns. These protesters had a different tactic in mind.
Around 2:30 p.m., the group walked calmly up the spiral staircase of the building, marched into the office of the chancellor, and asked for a meeting.
What is your will?
The protest was a direct response to growing frustration on campus and on social media over reports that Academic Support Specialist Adrian T. Williams and other staff members had been terminated by the university.
On May 29, Fayetteville State’s Student Government Association released a statement by Student Body President Latoya Harper, in which she said the association had been informed that “several beloved staff members” were “no longer with the university.”
“We want to personally acknowledge the sadness, frustration, and confusion many of you are feeling,” Harper said. “These individuals were more than just staff, they were mentors, motivators, and champions of Bronco pride.”
Harper’s statement did not specify how many staff members were no longer employed by the university or which departments they belonged to, nor did she clarify how the Student Government Association was informed of the terminations. The association and Harper did not respond to CityView’s requests for comment by publication time.
The statement also included a disclaimer that the state-funded public University of North Carolina System, of which FSU is a member, has “the right to relieve employees of their duties without providing a formal reason.”
North Carolina is an “at will” state for employment. According to the N.C. Department of Labor, the term “employment-at-will” means that employers can treat their employees as they see fit, and that they can discharge those employees for any reason, or no reason at all. These standards apply as long as there is not a specific law or employment contract that states otherwise.
Three FSU staff members in academic affairs who asked to keep their identities private due to concerns of retaliation in the workplace spoke to CityView about the reported terminations; they said Williams, the academic support specialist, was dismissed without cause in mid-May. Williams declined to be interviewed by CityView in relation to his departure from the university.
One of the staff members who spoke to CityView said Williams was let go just one day after serving as master of ceremonies for FSU’s staff appreciation luncheon, which took place on May 15.
“Mr. Williams, in particular, has a long history of being an advocate on campus for students, staff and faculty,” the staff member told CityView. University records show Williams served as an elected senator in FSU’s staff senate. He is also a current doctoral candidate at Fayetteville State.
“He’s somebody that does his job at 110%, and then some,” the same staff member said about Williams’ work ethic and involvement on campus. “It’s been circulating that he was fired ‘at will,’ but what is your will then, if you select somebody who is clearly a star employee? How much of an overachiever can you be and not be safe here?”
Williams’ alleged termination sparked confusion and anger among students who said they came to rely on his mentorship and support. Aaron Downing, a junior at Fayetteville State and one of the students who organized the protest, said Williams had been a passionate supporter of students across campus.
“He made FSU feel like home,” Downing said.
Shortly after the Student Government Association’s statement was released, Downing created an online petition calling for Williams’ reinstatement that quickly collected over 900 signatures in support. Students took to social media and filled the petition with personal stories, describing Williams as a compassionate, knowledgeable and irreplaceable part of their academic journey.
“Adrian Williams is the true heart of Fayetteville State University and embodies bronco pride everyday. He was my shoulder to cry on, my backbone, not only an advisor but truly a friend. During freshman year he became a key part of my support system,” wrote one petition commenter.
While CityView could not independently confirm with FSU that Williams’ termination or other staff terminations took place, the university provided a statement in response to questions.
“While the University does not disclose personnel matters in compliance with the laws governing the confidentiality of state employees’ personnel files, we really do value the feedback from our students and welcome them to the table to engage in healthy dialogue and discussions,” FSU’s Office of Strategic Communication wrote in an email statement. “This process is an integral part of the student experience, preparing them to be better citizens within their communities while also informing the University on how to support student voices better and enhance their experiences.”
The university’s spokespeople did not address the statement released by the Student Government Association.
Closed-door meeting
When the group of protesters arrived at the Chancellor’s Office on Monday, staff informed them that Chancellor Darrell T. Allison was out of the country and unavailable to meet. Instead, the group was ushered into a side conference room, where a closed-door meeting was held with Monica T. Leach, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Samantha Holmes, vice chancellor and chief of staff. CityView was not allowed to sit in the meeting.
According to the students present, Leach and other FSU leadership listened to their concerns and offered reassurance that student voices were being heard. Students in the meeting told CityView afterwards that they felt that the conversation was successful, and that FSU officials were aware of their concerns.
“We all stated our opinions and stated how we felt about Mr. Williams,” Downing said. “The staff that was in there, they sat there and listened with no type of judgment. There was no bad vibe.”
As of June 5, there has been no update from university officials regarding the employment status of Williams or any other terminated staff member, or any formal action to the demand for Williams’ reinstatement raised by students.
Staff raise concerns
While students felt that their voices were heard, some staff members in academic affairs told CityView that their voices are not taken into the same account when raising concerns with the upper levels of administration.
“I think admin in general are more apt to listen to the students versus staff and faculty,” a staff member said. “The staff and faculty get paid to be here, and the students being here pays them. So whenever they’re dissatisfied, I think they take it more seriously.”
But does this increased willingness to listen to students translate to more action being taken to address their concerns?
“Not that I’m aware,” the staff member said.
The staff member said they believe this dynamic fosters a hostile work environment around campus, in which employees of the university feel discouraged from, or fearful of, advocating for themselves and others when issues arise.
Specifically, the staff member raised concerns about a culture of retaliation and bullying within employee circles at FSU. Extra work duties and disrespectful treatment, the staff member told CityView, are two of the top issues they have seen and experienced as retaliation for advocating for themselves or other staff.
“Even today, with this event,” the staff member said about the protest, “You would expect that as much support as Mr. Williams had, there’s a lot of people who were scared to show up and show their support.”
Fayetteville State University often uses the colloquial name and tagline “Family State University,” when scouting prospective students and hosting events to engage the campus community.
“It feels like a very dysfunctional family,” the staff member said.
