Chief Shanon Anderson abruptly left her job with campus safety this past March after being on paid administrative leave since December.
The Barometer submitted a public records request for emails between Anderson and university Human Resources officials from the 2024 calendar year, hoping to understand the situation. Four months later, the university still has not given any explanation about Anderson’s departure.
Emails between the Human Resources department and the university’s former campus security chief indicate people had complained about her, but do not shed much light on her sudden departure last term.
“The Department will review all complaints received to determine if the allegations contained in the complaint, if proven, would lead an objectively reasonable person to conclude that the public safety professional or applicant violated Board established employment, training, or certification standards for public safety professionals,” one email stated.
OSU officials did not give any explanation as to why they had placed the chief on leave, nor did they give any information about whether she eventually was fired or resigned.
Rob Odom, Oregon State University vice president for University Relations and Marketing, has continued to state that the university does not comment on employees, but was able to confirm Anderson’s departure.
Anderson was hired as chief of police with the OSU Department of Public Safety on Dec. 14, 2020.
Anderson did not reply to multiple requests for comments.
James Yon, who joined the department in 2022 as an officer, is the current acting chief, and will remain in the position until a new permanent chief is hired.
Regarding the leadership transition in an email Yon said, “I have been told that the process for the next Chief won’t be open for about a year. I’m going to give it six months or so to figure out if I will apply for or not. I have enjoyed my time at the university.”
Yon also said that the Department of Public Safety will not have any noticeable changes while they search for a new permanent chief.
The Barometer will update this story with new developments.
