Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro is under investigation following a complaint accusing her of bullying and intimidating employees and members of her leadership team.
The nine-page complaint, sent last month to the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Office of Compliance, alleges a workplace culture of “fear, oppressive control, intimidation, humiliation, and bullying” under Toro’s leadership. It details 14 alleged violations of CSCU’s code of conduct involving staff and employees.
Lisa Bigelow, CCSU’s director of institutional advancement and president of the administrative faculty union, filed the complaint. Bigelow said she decided to do so after hearing from staff members about what happened at an off-site leadership retreat last month.
According to the complaint, Toro berated members of her leadership staff during the retreat at the Delamar Hotel in West Hartford on August 11. Employees described her behavior as reflecting “extreme anger, even rage.” Toro reportedly ended the retreat early.
“If your HR officer is treated the same way, is fearful for their own job, you don’t expect them to take this forward for you,” Bigelow said.
The complaint also alleges Toro asked university employees to perform personal services for her, including cutting her food and watching her dog in her office.
Another allegation stems from a Spring 2018 encounter involving athletics staff after a heated student forum about canceling the university’s golf program. According to the complaint, Toro scolded staff saying: “My father taught me that when people disrespect you, they either pay with their money or pay with their blood. Someone is going to pay with their blood!”
Bigelow said she was also verbally abused by Toro on two separate occasions. She is asking that Toro be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway.
“Taking her away from the environment in which she is causing harm is necessary in order for that investigation to be concluded in its truest form,” Bigelow said.
She believed the complaint show’s Toro’s behavior towards school employees to be unbecoming of a university president.
“You need to model the behavior that you’d expect for the rest of your staff,” Bigelow said.
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities told NBC Connecticut that it began investigating the allegations in August and takes all complaints seriously.
“It is important that we allow the established process to work and that we not prejudge either the facts or the appropriate employment action before those facts have been fully assessed,” Sam Norton, a CSCU spokesperson, said.
NBC Connecticut attempted to reach Toro about the allegations. Her car was not parked in her assigned spot and there was no answer when a reporter rang a bell at her office which appeared dark inside. Toro has yet to respond to emails seeking comment on the complaint.
