An academic adviser at Kennesaw State University is on academic leave while the school investigates a viral video of her calling campus security on a student.
KSU student Kevin Bruce was having trouble getting answers about his degree requirements from his academic adviser. After failing to get answers to his questions via email, he stopped by the human resources office and said he would wait until his adviser was free to speak with him. As he was waiting in the lobby, adviser Abbey Dawson confronted him and accused him of “harassment:”
“Sitting here until somebody is available is harassing them,” Dawson says, and then threatens to call campus security before walking away.
It’s not clear whether there was any other discussion or confrontation before the start of the video, where Dawson approaches Bruce. However, there aren’t any signs of commotion or chatter in the otherwise placid office waiting room.
Bruce shared his video of the confrontation on Twitter, and it’s already been retweeted more than 8,000 times:
https://twitter.com/IamKB_/status/598671312022872064
Since the video went viral, other KSU students have come forward with complaints about the university’s academic advisers and Dawson specifically, using the hashtag #ItsBiggerThanKSU:
https://twitter.com/onlybraves/status/598683462535614465
https://twitter.com/carinablogs/status/598708011440431104
The world is finally gettin to see what I have went thru w/ Abby Dawson the past few years. There's been so much more too. #ItsBiggerThanKSU
— Taylor Greeñhut (@TGreenhutOD) May 14, 2015
Definitely not a fit advisor .. Doesn't enjoy what she does and it always shows. #ItsBiggerThanKSU @kennesawstate pic.twitter.com/XUfbi7Rz5M
— Amber Wann (@AmberWann) May 14, 2015
#ItsBiggerThanKSU I had a VERY similar situation dealing with the same KSU advising staff!!! pic.twitter.com/BU7lfHhtLv
— Austin Smith (@_A_Smith) May 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/Schoolboy_O_/status/598871464566235136
Kennesaw State University responded to the video on the university’s website and official Twitter account, confirming that Dawson was on leave and the school was investigating the incident:
We are aware of the video and situation. Thanks for sharing your concern with us. A formal complaint process has begun.
— Kennesaw State (@kennesawstate) May 14, 2015
(Via CBC)