The board of regents for Eastern Michigan University have told the school’s president, Susan Martin, to control her alcohol consumption or she could face losing her job. The board also called Martin’s outburst at a recent event inappropriate in a letter they wrote to her. A number of other incidents related to alcohol consumption were also cited in the letter.
The letter was signed by the three board executives, Mike Morris, Roy Wilbanks and Francine Parker. A part of it read; “You must deal with this issue immediately. If there are any further incidents, you will leave us no alternative but to recommend to the Board that your employment be terminated for just cause …”
In her defence, Martin said that on the day in question she only had a few drinks, but had very little to eat. Those factors mixed with having a “spirited” discussion led to the incident noted by the board. An argument broke out with an EMU alumni at the bar after the event, which led to Martin acting in an unpresidential way. The pair was said to have reconciled their differences via email the next day.
In 2005. three years before she was accepted as the president of Eastern Michigan University, Martin was arrested for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. She has publicly apologized for her actions and for losing her temper at the Washington event.
The regents also encouraged Martin to attend counselling and expressed their worries regarding her actions and their negative effects on the reputation of the school, or even possible liability action in the future.
Martin also assured the community that the events that have led to this recent reprimand wont happen again and she is looking forward to continuing her relationship with the school and the board of regents.
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