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The startling saga of Schoolcraft College’s Investigation of Joan Gebhardt continues: Hearing Report confirms numerous complaints of troubling behavior 

A hearing was held on July 17 with final report issued August 14.

As reported exclusively by Friday Musings back in June, on March 10, 2023, Schoolcraft College was notified of a complaint against Joan Gebhardt, a member of the College's Board of Trustees at the time. The complaint accused her of making inappropriate comments, which may have violated the College's policy against discrimination and harassment. The Human Resources Department began an investigation on March 13, 2023, but before Gebhardt could be interviewed, she resigned, resulting in the complaint's dismissal as she was no longer part of the College.

In early 2024, Gebhardt declared her intention to run for the College Board of Trustees again, the same position that she held before resigning just one year earlier, raising concerns due to the previous investigation's lack of resolution. Consequently, the original Complainant submitted a formal complaint to the College's Title IX Coordinator on March 13, 2024.

Following this investigation, a hearing was held on July 17 and a Determination Report by a Hearing Officer was issued on August 14, 2024.

That report, recently acquired through a FOIA, resulted in the conclusion that:

“For the reasons stated…and the findings from the Investigative Report related to Policy 1030, the Supportive Measures issued on March 19, 2024, will remain in effect.”

Those measures include a “No Contact” directive prohibiting Gebhardt from having any contact with the female employee Complainant, and having to notify Schoolcraft at least one hour in advance of when she will be on campus, and where.

The report found that:

“a preponderance of the evidence establishes that Respondent (Joan Gebhardt) frequently spoke to Complainant in a manner that a reasonable person would consider to be belittling and demeaning…the evidence further establishes that Complainant would often be reduced to tears following her interactions with Respondent, would feel frazzled and anxiety-ridden, and would have difficultly completing her job assignments for fear of “getting in trouble.” “

The Determination Report primarily focused on whether Gebhardt violated Schoolcraft Policy prohibiting sexual and/or non-sexual harassment. Gebhardt was found not to have committed “sexual” harassment of the female Complainant. As to “non-sexual” harassment, the report considered three elements:

According to Policy 1080, in order to constitute Non-Sexual Harassment, the alleged conduct must be “unwelcome,” must be “based on an individual’s protected status” (in this case sex/gender), and must be “severe or pervasive enough” to create an employment environment that a “reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.” 

The Hearing Officer concluded that

“a preponderance of the evidence establishes that the conduct was unwelcomed…”

“a preponderance of the evidence establishes that Respondent’s conduct was severe and/or pervasive enough to create an employment environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive,” but

“a preponderance of the evidence fails to establish that the conduct was based on Complainant’s sex/gender…"



This final element was not established because:

“a preponderance of the evidence establishes that Respondent treated several people associated with the College in a belittling, demeaning, and/or disrespectful manner, including staff members, the President, and fellow Board members, irrespective of gender.”

In other words, ironically, Gebhardt’s conduct on a legal technicality was not considered “gender-based” because her abusive conduct was directed at women and men alike.

It is time to move on from the Gebhardt Saga at Schoolcraft College

Candy Little deserves to be elected to a full term. She has deep and widespread community support. She deserves our vote.

Candy R. Little was appointed to the Board of Trustees in April 2023 by unanimous vote following Trustee Joan Gebhardt's resignation. A 1996 Wayne State University graduate with a Bachelor's in Chemistry, Little has since been employed in the pharmaceutical sector. She has held various positions at multiple pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations, including Clinical Research Associate, Lead Clinical Research Associate, Associate Clinical Research Specialist, and Institution Lead Clinical Research Associate. She is a Senior Clinical Research Specialist and Institution Lead Clinical Research Associate at Merck.

For 16 years, Little has been a dedicated volunteer in Livonia. She served as Secretary on the PTA for Coolidge Elementary when her daughter attended. She continued to volunteer for various committees within Livonia Public Schools until her daughter completed the Math, Science, and Computers (MSC) program at Churchill High School in 2022.

To further her community service, Ms. Little has been an appointed member of the Livonia Water and Sewer Board since December 2020.

Ms. Little and her daughter have called Livonia home for 16 years.

In addition to the early endorsement of Little by FridayMusings leaders across the Schoolcraft College District are lining up to support Candy Little for Trustee.

Livonia School Board members Mark Johnson, Karen Bradford, and Colleen Burton. Livonia City Council members Brandon McCullough, Carrie Budzinski, Rob Donovic, Martha Ptashnik, Livonia City Treasurer Susan Nash.

Schoolcraft Trustees Terry Gilligan, Angela Jaafar, Brian Broderick, Dillon Breen, Brett Gierak, Carol Strom, Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo, Northville Township Clerk Cynthia L. Jankowski, and Northville City Mayor Brian Turnbull 

Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2 and Michigan Building Trades & Construction Trades Council.

When absentee ballots start arriving FridayMusings encourages a vote for Schoolcraft College Trustee Candy Little. The ultimate vote and endorsement is yours however, it is time to move on from the Gebhardt saga.

Sure the Tour de Livonia was last Sunday, but in case you missed Local 4 and their interview with Chuck Dardas, founding member of Livonia Kids and Family, and Director Veronica Cruz, as they showcase not only the Tour but some of the creativity that shows Livonia as a caring family fun community that understands the importance of transformational programs.

Tour de Livonia Year Three continues to build a hometown tradition while raising funds for LKF

The sight was striking as bicyclists set out to savor the Tour de Livonia, a day that heralded the approach of autumn. Initially, the group embarking on the full 20-mile route departed, flanked by a police escort, with officers at intersections to ease their way and sweepers keeping the group intact. Observing such a multitude of cyclists enjoying the parks, neighborhoods, and fresh vistas was indeed a splendid sight.

Following this, the participants of the 7-mile course commenced their ride, with children and families exuding a mix of excitement and smiles, marked by a sense of anticipation. The addition of new, young, and family riders was particularly touching.

The Tour de Livonia serves to highlight the wonderfully diverse community, featuring parks, neighborhoods, and schools, all of which have flourished in the 74 years since Livonia's establishment in 1950.

Breaking Barriers for Livonia Kids & Families, the headline sponsor and organizer of the Tour de Livonia, partners with the business community to raise funding for their 501 c3. Included as major sponsors were Hardies Familiy Trust, Livonia Police and Livonia Fire Departments, MASCO, Schoolcraft College, Livonia Parks and Recreation, Wayne County Sherriff, and Mobile Bike Medic.

Two days after the Tour de Livonia the benefits of this major fundraiser were seen as LKF hosted at Clarenceville High School a food pantry pick up, above, where residents could drive through and get groceries and hygiene products without leaving their car.

The next day Veronica Cruz, Director of LKF, found herself helping out at the 35 foot by 60 foot greenhouse at Garfield Community School. The greenhouse is part of a work skills program for special needs young adults.

Through partnerships year round LKF all donations made to Breaking Barriers MI directly support six food pantries that help meet the needs of community members.

The Tour de Livonia is an excellent outreach into the community where fun and families create funds for families.

Is it time for a serious discussion about Livonia opening cannabis dispensaries

The last time any discussion on opening a cannabis dispensary in Livonia was held some of the opposition centered, among other issues, around the objection seniors might have to dispensaries in our hometown.

FridayMusings is on the record advocating for Livonia to open cannabis dispensaries in our community, away from neighborhoods and perhaps in the industrial area.

We currently have large commercial grow houses in our city. They grow it, sell it to dispensaries in other communities, those towns make money on tax revenue returned to their city, and those stores hire drivers to deliver them to residential neighborhoods throughout Livonia.

This typewriter goes to an industrial area in Ferndale every 6 weeks joining the growing number of seniors, 27% in Michigan, who use cannabis.

70% of seniors using cannabis, like this typewriter, use it daily for sleep. After discussing it with my Doctor and deciding that Ambien would not be good for me on a long-term basis, it was recommended that I take a gummy at bedtime. I now sleep 6-7 hours every night uninterrupted.

Michiganders aged 50 and above are increasingly using cannabis, more so than their counterparts across the United States, for relaxation, sleep, or pain relief.

This trend is highlighted in the latest University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, which targets Americans over 50 and recently concentrated on THC-containing cannabis products.

Specific findings for Michigan include:

- In the past year, 27% of Michiganders over 50 used a cannabis product, surpassing the national average of 21%.

- Daily cannabis use is reported by 9% of Michiganders in this age group, almost double the national rate of 5%.

- The reasons for cannabis use in Michigan are varied: 84% for relaxation, 70% to aid sleep, 65% to feel good, 66% for pain management, 54% for mental health improvement, 43% for social gatherings, and 27% for celebrations.

- A significant 56% of Michigan users have discussed their cannabis use with a doctor, which is more than the 42% seen nationally.

The preference for cannabis over alcohol among seniors is due to the lesser impact on the aging body, with many opting for gummies or creams, particularly to ease arthritis pain and to aid in sleep and relaxation.

It is time for Livonia to take a serious look at opening a dispensary, a healthy discussion, and just maybe the opposition being talked about with seniors not wanting it in our community will be realized for what it is. A scare tactic for candidates running for office, playing for votes, replaying like the movie "Weed from the Devils Garden."

The Porsche E-Bike raffle was immensely successful, with Karen Sanborn, Director of Communications at Madonna University, emerging as the winner. The raffle was held to benefit Breaking Barriers Livonia Kids and Families, and all proceeds will go towards supporting their mission.

Maureen and Greg arrived to take part in the Tour de Livonia for the thired year in a row. The Mayor riding her striking pink bike and Greg on his Raleigh.

As soon as the ride was over they arrived in time for the Corn Roast ribbon cutting and her shift as an Honorary Corn Roaster.

The first to arrive at the Corn Roast, 8:30 AM were the Persconi's. They decided to park at the Corn Roast and ride their bikes over to the Tour de Livonia. Smart thinking.

When the ride was over they headed back to the corn roast to meet and mingle with the hundreds of folks on hand.

Arts Commissioner Pam Valentine and Terry Marecki a photographer as well as Commissioner get caught up to date at the corn roast.

LEARN was on hand sharing information about several projects they are involved with including the car repair program October $$$.

John Larkin not only enjoyed the festivities of the day he met up with Representative Matt Koleszar and Senator Mary Cavanagh, two of the honorary corn roasters.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

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Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.

What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.