New College library dean terminated after investigation over books found in dumpster

Video above from previous coverage

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — New College of Florida’s library dean was terminated after an internal investigation found she purged thousands of books without following proper procedures.

In a letter dated August 30, the college’s legal and human resources team informed Dean of the Library Shannon Hausinger that she was terminated for tossing out what she described as “moldy and water-damaged books,” which are public property, without consulting college administrators.

“Regardless of your view on the value of the books selected for disposal, this lack of collaboration with faculty and College stakeholders demonstrates a profound and unacceptable error in judgement that does not meet the College’s expectations for an experienced library dean,” David Brickhouse, Esq., Vice President of Legal Affairs and Human Resources, wrote in the letter.

In an interview with Brickhouse, Chief of Staff and CFO Christie Fitz-Patrick and Interim Provost David Rancourt, Hausinger claimed to have made records documenting each book and the reason for its disposal. According to the letter, those records were not made available.

The college determined Hausinger’s actions constituted misconduct. Her attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Photos of books laying in dumpsters sparked outrage on social media last month. A university spokesperson previously said they were disposed in accordance with state law.

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