Overview
- The board said it invited James to return on Jan. 16 and publicly confirmed his reinstatement on Jan. 20, apologizing for a process that did not meet contractual and procedural requirements.
- Trustees pledged reviews of governance and institutional processes and said concerns about workplace culture must be addressed with safeguards for those who raise issues in good faith.
- WSB‑TV reported obtaining documents alleging harassment, intimidation, and a hostile work environment by James, with grievances that reportedly preceded his suspension; the college has not detailed findings and the allegations have not been adjudicated.
- A new alumni watchdog group, Morris Brown Accountability Now, is urging James’s removal and a former trustee publicly criticized the decision to bring him back.
- James and the board emphasized preparations for a TRACS accreditation reaffirmation visit in early February, as the president’s tenure has included reaccreditation in 2022, restored federal aid access, and recent enrollment growth.