article: scott nelson

Assistant dean of students resigns
Scott Nelson leaves after allegations of inappropriate conduct

Olivia Hubert-Allen, News Editor

Scott Nelson, assistant dean of students and director of judicial affairs, resigned unexpectedly effective immediately on Oct. 30.

The resignation came two days after Homecoming festivities, when Nelson was accused of engaging in behavior not condoned by the faculty handbook.

Nelson, who has spent seven years supervising punishments given to students for problem behavior, including drinking violations, resigned after drinking with students during the tailgating in the Harper Center Lot.

Though it is typically the university’s policy not to discuss personal matters of its employees, Nelson gave Smith Jackson, vice president of student life, consent to release a statement about the situation.

“Early last week I received several reports concerning Dean Nelson,” Jackson said in a prepared statement. “The reports indicated Dean Nelson had participated with some alumni and students in consuming alcohol in the tailgating area, interacted inappropriately with students, and did not shut down the tailgating area during the football game [which was his responsibility].”

The Elon University Staff Manual states that “being intoxicated or under the influence of controlled substances while at work or on University business” is considered an unacceptable activity.

In a statement made by three female students involved in the incident and evidence gathered by The Pendulum, the inappropriate behavior also included, “unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and other physically expressive behavior of a sexual nature,” as outlined in the staff manual.

The students’ statement read in part: “Nelson’s behavior was concerning and upsetting. We want students to know what happened so that in the future, others will come forward if a similar situation occurs.”

Nelson admitted to acting unprofessionally during tailgating and takes full responsibility for drinking with students.

“I drank way too much and was way too casual,” says Nelson. “I don’t remember much really.”

He had little recollection of any specific incidents that may have followed.

“I’ve never done anything with students that way,” Nelson said. “Maybe I just came across a little too warm. I never wanted anything from a student in that way.”

He says he resigned because he knows he couldn’t expect students to respect him as a judicial officer if he had violated the regulations his office enforces.

“I apologize to staff, deans and students,” Nelson says. “I hope they learn from my poor example. I tried to be a mentor and was the exact opposite.”

Nelson spent the week in South Carolina with his family.

Whitney Pack has temporarily taken Nelson’s responsibilities, and has become chief justice of judicial affairs. A search will be conducted in the future to find a new director of judicial affairs.

Brittany Smith, Kaitlin Ugolik, Justin Hite and Leigh Ann Vanscoy contributed to this story.