The former president of Hopkinsville Community College has now resigned from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System entirely after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against him.
Amid an internal KCTCS investigation and placed on paid leave on January 5, Jim Selbe resigned his position as special assistant to the chancellor effective January 19, following what he calls in his resignation letter a “totally untrue, completely fabricated, anonymous complaint.”
"I have come to the conclusion that these anonymous and baseless complaints will likely not cease, but instead create continued grief for me, my family and KCTCS," Selbe said in the letter. "I flatly refuse to allow that to happen. Therefore, it is with the paradox of disappointment and relief that I tender my resignation."
KCTCS received a complaint from a staff member on December 19 detailing inappropriate behavior by Selbe. He is alleged to have touched the co-worker’s legs and thighs on more than one occasion, saying, “God wants it that way.” The complaint also says, "I know he’s in with J. Box and has gotten away with this before in Hopkinsville.”
Jay Box took over as KCTCS president earlier this month, after serving as the system's chancellor since July 2009.
While president at HCC in 2013, Selbe asked to be reassigned in the system following a period of unpaid administrative leave for employee misconduct.
KCTCS spokeswoman Kristi Middleton says that Selbe’s duties are being shifted to interim chancellor George Edwards.
