New LSU Vice President for Strategic Communications Linda Bonnin told The Daily Reveille on Friday she received “a number of calls” from her future University colleagues after they learned of her involvement in a lawsuit filed against the University of Memphis.
In an email exchange with The Daily Reveille, Bonnin declined to comment on the pending litigation, which alleges she terminated a 64-year-old employee based on his age and told an office intern she planned to replace him with someone “younger and female.”
“Everyone [at LSU] has been tremendously supportive,” Bonnin wrote in an email. “While I don’t officially begin work until October 1, I have already become involved in a number of work activities.”
Bonnin went into detail about her interview process with the University, writing that she “spoke with about 80 people” and “answered hundreds of questions.”
Bonnin wrote that she gave permission to University Human Resource Management to do a full criminal, employment and personal background review and referred any questions about her background to that department.
The Daily Reveille attempted to contact Jane Cassidy, vice provost for human resources and facilities management, last week but was referred back to University Media Relations without comment.
Bonnin wrote in an email she hopes to be settled in Baton Rouge by mid-October but already is putting in research and work for her new role at the University.
“I’m in regular communication with members of the senior leadership team, as well as my staff there,” Bonnin wrote. “Additionally, I’ve been doing research, reviewing best practices and outlining some recommendations. I will also begin working with Human Resources Management next week to look at its communications and recruitment strategies.”