Part 1 Of An Investigative Series
(First A Note To Our Readers:
Dear Readers,
We would like to bring to your attention that this article marks the first part of an ongoing investigative series stemming from a comprehensive investigation into Whittier College. The initial findings have revealed evidence of conflicts of interest, indirect nepotism, indirect self-dealing, a potential hostile work environment, and actions that may impede individuals' First Amendment rights under the guise of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). It is our responsibility to report these findings; however, it is important to note that while Mrs. Linda Oubre's background raises questions, and certain issues have arisen during her tenure, there is no prior history of complaints from her previous positions. We believe that many of these issues may stem from her lack of preparedness for a leadership role, a lack of transparency during her term, and potential shortcomings within her team and the college's communication department. It is worth emphasizing that not all issues are directly attributed to Mrs. Oubre, but rather to her closest and most fervent supporters on the Board of Trustees. We kindly request that readers reserve judgment until the full report is published, allowing for a comprehensive review of the evidence that will be presented in subsequent articles within this investigation. In the United States, every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty, even within the court of public opinion.
Last week, Linda Oubre made the decision to resign from her position as President of Whittier College. While this resignation marks a significant development, it is important to note that the issues surrounding the college extend beyond the role of the President.
The members of the Board of Trustees, who were instrumental in creating a hostile work environment for Whittier College employees and who threatened SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) lawsuits against faculty members and alumni, remain in their positions. It is crucial to recognize that the dynamics within the college involve various individuals, and the responsibility for the issues uncovered in our investigation extends beyond one person.
Whittier 360 News Network holds no ill will toward Mrs. Oubre or any other individual implicated in this investigation. We extend our best wishes to Mrs. Oubre in her future endeavors. It is essential for the public to treat her with the same respect and compassion they would offer to anyone who has not been accused of the matters uncovered in this investigation. It is important to remember that human beings are prone to making mistakes, even when they may not always admit to them.
We continue to urge our readers to remain open-minded and to review the evidence that will be presented in the subsequent articles of this investigative series. Our goal is to shed light on the truth and ensure that all aspects of this complex situation are thoroughly examined.
Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we strive to provide comprehensive and unbiased reporting on matters of public interest. We appreciate your continued support as we work diligently to bring you the truth and shed light on matters of public interest.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Canales Founder and CEO Whittier 360 News Network)
Date: May 14, 2023
By Rebecca Canales, Founder and CEO of Whittier 360 News Network
Introduction:
Whittier 360 News Network embarked on an investigative journey concerning Whittier College and its President, Linda Oubre, on December 15th, 2022. Despite our attempts to reach out to the college for their response, no official statement has been provided. While we remain open to their input to set the record straight, we can no longer delay reporting the information we have gathered to the public.
Linda Oubre's Background and Career:
Linda Oubre, a Los Angeles native, assumed the presidency of Whittier College in 2018, marking the start of her turbulent tenure that will expire in three years. While we refrain from taking a position on Oubre's resignation or removal, we suggest that at the end of her term, a new president be appointed to lead the college in a direction that better respects local culture and history. We strongly advise against Oubre's reappointment. We are also recommending the removal of the majority of the members of the Board of Trustees for actions that were unprofessional, unethical, and possibly illegal.
Prior to her presidency, Oubre served as the Dean of the College of Business at San Francisco State University and held executive positions at various organizations. However, our investigation revealed that the majority of her career involved working for multinational corporations with no allegiance to the United States or consideration for local communities' cultures and histories.
Ancestry and Activism:
Our inquiry into Oubre's ancestry discovered that she can identify as Ethnically American. One of her ancestors was an enslaved Black American and a founding member of the NAACP, residing in Georgia before the Civil War. It is likely that his ancestors lived in the US prior to the ratification of the US Constitution due to the ban on the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Oubre hails from a lineage of Civil Rights activists, including her grandfather's participation in the 1963 March on Washington. Her great-grandfather, Elijah Buchanan Dillard, was born into slavery in Georgia in 1856 and ardently supported his son's involvement in the NAACP and labor and civil rights movements during the Jim Crow era. These personal experiences with slavery and its aftermath influenced him deeply. Oubre honored her grandfather by naming a scholarship after him during her tenure at San Francisco State.
Professional Career:
During our investigation, we uncovered key information regarding Oubre's professional history. Notably, she played a pivotal role in co-founding BriteSmile, a company she helped launch and manage. Our sources within the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indicate that Oubre's record is spotless, with no disciplinary actions or filings associated with her work at BriteSmile or her time at Syncom Capital, an investment firm.
At the Walt Disney Company, Oubre held management positions in the Consumer Products and Retail division and served as the Director of Operations for Disney's Publishing division. She also held positions at the Los Angeles Times and Times Mirror Company, where she contributed to the acquisition of the Baltimore Sun and the Los Angeles Times magazine. Notably, her tenure at these companies consisted of relatively short stints, spanning two to three years.
Controversies and Hostile Work Environment:
Since assuming the presidency of Whittier College, Oubre has been embroiled in numerous controversies. In a 2022 announcement regarding the abolition of the college's popular athletics programs, it was discovered that Oubre plagiarized phrases from a 2019 Forbes magazine article without attribution. Despite this revelation, no apology was issued, and the stolen text remained unaddressed within her speech.
Moreover, our investigation found allegations of a hostile work environment created by Oubre's supporters at Whittier College. This behavior is unexpected given Oubre's background and values. Multiple faculty members, whom we interviewed during our investigation, leveled accusations of a hostile work environment. Surprisingly, neither Whittier College nor President Oubre responded to our inquiries regarding this matter.
The investigative report conducted by Whittier 360 News Network sheds light on various controversies surrounding Whittier College and President Linda Oubre. While we acknowledge her ancestral ties to Civil Rights activism and her professional accomplishments, our findings raise concerns about her alignment with multinational corporations and her handling of certain situations during her presidency.
Given the gravity of the issues and the impact on the college community, it is imperative that both Whittier College and President Oubre address the allegations and controversies outlined in this report. The public deserves transparency and accountability from its educational institutions and their leaders. That public must also exercise descretion and withhold judgement until the full report is revealed and they have been able to see the letters, reports, transcripts, and communications that led to our conclusions.
Whittier 360 News Network remains committed to delivering unbiased and thorough investigative journalism, urging the college and President Oubre to respond to this report and contribute to setting the record straight if they believe anything in these reports is inaccurate. We did just spend the last 6 months putting off these articles to give both Oubre and the College a chance to respond and rebutt. And it should be noted that change is never easy.
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