A member of the Associated Students of Central Oregon Community College allegedly had a relationship with an employee which violated college policy.
Shara Huskey, former director of public relations of ASCOCC, stated in an e-mail that “a council member is seeing a staff member who they are in charge of.” Similar allegations were repeated in a comment posted to The Broadside’s website.
Cedar Goslin
The Broadside
“The activities council member has had a fling with a paid assistant [whom they are in charge of,]” wrote an anonymous poster.
The comment refers to Alexandra Bresler, the events and activities director of ASCOCC.
It is not permitted by Central Oregon Community College policy for any COCC employee to be in direct supervision of someone with whom they have a personal relationship.
The allegations are unfounded, according to Taran Underdal, ASCOCC’s advisor.
Bresler went on “a few dates” with Kyle Schenk, ASCOCC’s office manager, according to Underdal.
“I would not call it an actual relationship,” said Underdal.
Bresler is also not Schenk’s direct supervisor, according to Underdal. Schenk is supervised by Eliot Collins the director of student affairs at ASCOCC.
Bresler and Schenk said they were never in a relationship, but had “hung out” for a while after fall finals, during the winter break.
“It was more just friends hanging out,” said Schenk.
“We hung out before we both left for the break,” said Bresler. “It was nice to be done with school, and we didn’t talk about work.”
During the time Bresler and Schenk were socializing outside of work, Underdal she said she talked with each of them about keeping their private life separate from work. She said she never saw any issues.
Bresler and Schenk said they have not had any sort of relationship, other than their work relationship, since the beginning of winter term.
“I’ve been too busy to really hang out with friends or anything,” said Bresler. She said her main focus has been her classes and other responsibilities. Even if Bresler and Schenk did continue to socialize outside of work, there is no conflict, according to Underdal.
“Their dating, had it continued, would not be in violation of college policy,” said Underdal.
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