College of DuPage President Goes on Leave Beginning Wednesday

Beginning Wednesday, College of DuPage President Robert Breuder will go on “approved medical leave,” a move that is approved through the human resources department and not the board of trustees, the Daily Herald is reporting.

But board members, who had plans to put Breuder on paid administrative leave as soon as Thursday plan to proceed.

“As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to go ahead with the paid leave of absence,” Kathy Hamilton told the Daily Herald Tuesday night. “It’s his decision, and he’s gone on paid medical leave. Our board decision is to put him on paid administrative leave -- and that’s what we can do if we have the votes.”

Hamilton has been at the forefront of the reform movement and is expected to be elected chairwoman of the board Thursday night.

“In a letter sent Tuesday to Breuder, Hamilton and three political allies who won three available seats on the seven-member board in the April 7 election directed Breuder to schedule a special Thursday night meeting that would take place after the new board’s organizational meeting,” the Daily Herald reported.

The College of DuPage has been embroiled in scandal lately.

• In January, school board members voted to send the community college’s president Robert Breuder away with a $762,000 buyout. That was funded by taxpayers.
• Then there were the business dealings at the college radio station and a move tocensure a board member.
• Earlier in March, it was revealed that nearly $200,000 was charged in food and liquor costs at the college’s fine dining restaurant, Waterleaf.
• The last week in March, the college allegedly awarded signage contracts to a foundation member without going to bid for the jobs.
• On April 13, the former radio station employee pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces.
• The on April 20, it was discovered that an additional $160,000 has been spent at the College of DuPage restaurant, Waterleaf, from an account that was previously undiscovered.