Now that the report of the Lane Community College investigation into Board of Education complaints has been released, I am free to speak. As the only woman currently serving on the LCC Board of Education and also not named in the recent substantiated complaints — I am outraged by Zachary Mulholland’s behavior.

The independent investigation confirmed what many feared: former Chair Zachary Mulholland engaged in repeated acts of harassment, bullying, intimidation, and abuse of power directed at President Dr. Stephanie Bulger, a Black woman entrusted with leading LCC. His behavior: yelling profanities, belittling, and attempting to undermine her authority, was racist, sexist, and a blatant misuse of his role as Chair of the Board.

The report also documented his mistreatment of female staff and a female student. This conduct is appalling, intolerable and antithetical to everything Lane Community College stands for: safety, equity, dignity, and respect. 

As a feminist, I know this was not a lapse in judgment but a reflection of the power dynamics that too often silence women, especially women of color, in leadership. As the only woman on this board, I cannot — and will not — remain silent.

His behavior is absolutely unacceptable for an elected official — full stop!

While censure is the only disciplinary tool formally available to the board, censure is not enough. The only action that restores dignity to this board and integrity to Lane Community College is for Zachary Mulholland to resign immediately.

LCC must remain a welcoming and inclusive campus. Zachary Mulholland’s behavior is especially harmful to potential and current students. Students are now questioning: if this is how the Black female president is treated, how safe am I as a woman or a person of color?

Lane Community College deserves better. Our students, faculty, staff, and community deserve better. 

The community should not have to tolerate this, and I urge the people of Lane County to join me in demanding that Zachary Mulholland resign.

Have your voice heard

Lane Community College Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 3, in the LCC Boardroom, Building 3, main campus, 4000 E. 30th Ave., Eugene, OR 97405.

Community members wishing to speak will have up to 3 minutes during Public Comment. You may speak in person, or attend the meeting at http://lanecc.edu/live.

Following a one-year appointed term, Julie Weismann was recently elected to serve another four years as the Zone 3 Trustee on the LCC Board of Education, representing Springfield. Weismann is Finance Director for Hope & Safety Alliance, having served as its Executive Director for our county’s domestic violence services agency for eight years.