April 19, 2024

GCCC: Trustees Authorize External Review into Death of Braeden Bradforth

(Courtesy of GCCC)

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — During a regularly scheduled meeting on May 14, the Board of Trustees for Garden City Community College voted to authorize an external investigation into the August 1, 2018 death of Braeden Bradforth.  The Board voted to delay further discussion on policy governance changes regarding language for a tobacco free campus until additional information has been gathered.

Authorization for Independent, External Investigation

After a time of advisement from counsel, the GCCC Board of trustees has authorized President Ruda and college attorney, Randy Grisell, to begin the process of retaining outside counsel for the purpose of conducting an independent, external investigation into the August 1, 2018 death of GCCC student-athlete, Braeden Bradforth.  The Board also stipulated that retention of counsel and the investigation are not to exceed $100,000.

Tobacco Free Language in Policy Governance

The GCCC Board of Trustees also agreed to delay further discussion about the specific inclusion of tobacco as part of the President’s responsibilities to ensure a “safe and healthy” campus.  The discussion will be on hold until more information can be gathered from internal and external surveys.  Surveys are already being developed by Dr. Jacque Messinger, GCCC’s Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability, and will be distributed in order to gather feedback from the college constituents and the community.  The Board will resume discussion on the topic after receiving results from the survey, which will be distributed for responses no earlier than the Fall 2019 semester.

Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.