HVCC fires two top administrators hired under ex-president

13Investigates has learned two high-ranking officials at Hudson Valley Community College have been let go Thursday.

The two employees are Chief Operating Officer Katherine Better and Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer Donal Christian.

Sources tell 13Investigates the employees were escorted off campus by public safety. Sources also note that Better and Christian were hired under former president Roger Ramsammy.

Ramsammy was fired by the HVCC Board of Trustees for “just cause” last summer after 13Investigates uncovered a scandal; an employee, who worked closely with Ramsammy, filed a sexual harassment complaint against him.

Details from that complaint have never been made public.

HVCC declined to comment on Better and Christian. The college states they are respecting the confidentiality of personnel matters.

The college did mention a different job has been consolidated under the Rensselaer County Attorney’s Office. Scott Ely had served as HVCC’s Associate General Counsel. Ely will continue to support the college under his new role as Assistant County Attorney.

The Times Union was the first to report this story.

This is a developing story. NewsChannel 13 is working to learn more details.