Local lawmakers respond to Blinn College controversy surrounding former Vice Chancellor of HR & Title IX

BRENHAM, Texas (KBTX) - Bryan’s State Senator, Charles Schwertner, had strong words for Blinn College after he saw the latest in KBTX’s investigation into the school’s hiring of an administrator.

Statement from Senator Charles Schwertner:

“Public institutions receiving taxpayer funding should maintain robust and complete hiring practices, including a thorough background check on individuals. Public trust in these institutions depends on careful and responsible personnel decisions. This will not go unnoticed by the State Legislature.”

State Senator Schwertner represents the Bryan area where Blinn’s largest campus is located and serves on the State Finance Committee that oversees Blinn’s funding. Brazos County also accounts for nearly half of Blinn’s enrollment.

Last week we received documents and interviews that raised questions about Blinn’s ouster of a vice chancellor. The College’s former General Counsel says the school knew about the vice chancellor’s criminal history.

The senior leader had pleaded no contest to a felony in the 90’s involving the sexual assault of a child. According to the former general counsel, the school promoted her to vice chancellor anyway.

Blinn Chancellor, Mary Hensley, has yet to agree to answer our questions so we took them to lawmakers like Senator Schwertner. State Senator Lois Kolkhorst was out of office today, but her staff said she may be available later this week.

Kolkhort’s husband Jim serves on the Blinn College Board of Trustees which is set to meet in executive session Thursday morning.

We also reached out to Senator Paul Bettencourt who represents Waller County where Blinn is building its sixth campus. Senator Bettencourt didn’t want to comment until Senator Kolkhorst had the chance to speak first.