The Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) Board of Trustees announced Nov. 4 that it voted to suspend College President Dr. Michael Cioce, effective immediately, during its meeting on Nov. 3.
The suspension, by a vote of 7-1 with two abstentions, follows the board’s issuance of a termination notice for cause on Sept. 22. The charges outlined in the notice focus on what the college said was Cioce’s unilateral decision to enter into a Tuition Reduction Agreement with Thomas Jefferson University of Philadelphia.
The board alleges that Cioce’s actions exceeded his authority, were not authorized by the board, violated college policy, breached the exclusivity provisions of an existing partnership agreement between Rowan College and Rowan University, and caused damage to the relationship between the two institutions.
Cioce has been president of Rowan College since 2018. He became acting president of Rowan College in 2017 after Paul Drayton stepped down. Cioce had been serving as vice president of enrollment management and student success. Rowan College has removed the biographical page for Cioce from its website.
Cioce filed a federal lawsuit on Sept. 30 against the college, the board of trustees and several individuals. He claims he’s been subjected to a year of unrelenting harassment aimed at ousting him from his position. Cioce alleges some board members have been engaged in unlawful activities and they’ve turned on him for protecting the college, which has a fall enrollment of 7,000.
On Oct. 23, U.S. District Judge Christine O’Hearn rejected Cioce’s effort to thwart the college from taking an adverse employment action, thereby permitting the board to move forward as it did. The college’s review of this matter remains ongoing, and additional information may result in a modification or expansion of the charges previously issued. The board has not announced plans for a search.
Following Cioce’s suspension, the board appointed Dr. David Spang, provost, to serve as acting president. Spang has previously served as interim president during prior transitions. In his role as provost, Spang has overseen the college’s academic programs, accreditation efforts and faculty initiatives.
