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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

WSU president’s wife denies impropriety in cousin’s job, housing

Elizabeth Rudd Lewiston Tribune

PULLMAN – Washington State University President Elson Floyd’s wife said she followed protocol when referring a relative to a program that allows him to live in the president’s cottage.

Carmento Floyd said via email that her distant cousin, Darren Mitchell, 21, went through the same selection process as all other full-time students considered for WSU’s special events student workers’ program. Mitchell was chosen for the program that gives him a job in the president’s office and a residence in the cottage next door to the Floyds’ house.

Mitchell has been given leave from work pending the outcome of a criminal case. He was arrested two weeks ago on allegations of driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of a dangerous weapon.

WSU spokeswoman Kathy Barnard said the student worker program was established by former WSU President Samuel Smith and has been in operation since 1993. The program provides part-time work for 12 to 15 full-time students who are all eligible for selection to live in the cottage.

Which student is selected to live in the cottage is at the president’s discretion, Barnard said. Elson Floyd declined to comment on Mitchell’s placement in the program, deferring all inquiries to his wife, who is responsible for matters involving the house.

Carmento Floyd said in an email that she checked WSU’s policies regarding family members to ensure there was no conflict before referring Mitchell for the program. She gave his name to Mary Jenkins, the executive assistant for presidential meetings and events.

According to WSU’s nepotism policy, family members are defined as “the employee’s parent, spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister, brother, stepbrother, stepsister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, stepchild and stepparent.”

Students in the program are interviewed and hired based on referrals and recruitment only. Carmento Floyd said she and Jenkins worked for nine months prior to Mitchell’s hiring to find another qualified student, but “were unable to identify a student we thought would best meet the requirements for the position.”

“I personally felt it would be a good fit for him because it would allow him to work for a portion of his education,” Carmento Floyd said. “Additionally, I felt it would be a good fit for us because I know him and was comfortable with him living in the cottage.”

WSU Assistant Police Chief Steve Hansen said Mitchell was stopped March 1 at the cottage by police on an unrelated matter and reportedly refused to take an alcohol breath test. A blood sample was taken instead to determine Mitchell’s blood-alcohol concentration, Hansen said.

Police also allegedly found a pair of brass knuckles and a switchblade when searching Mitchell, which Hansen said is an illegal combination of weapons. Hansen said no formal charges have been filed against Mitchell because police are still waiting to receive the toxicology results from the blood test.

“Darren has been given a leave from work to resolve this matter,” Carmento Floyd said in an email. “Once resolved, a determination will be made regarding his placement in the program.”

Mitchell’s duties in the president’s office involve working partly as a receptionist and carrying out event-related tasks. The program requires the selected student to work up to 40 hours per month to cover the cost of living in the cottage, Barnard said. Meals are not included.

The selected student is paid $12 an hour after the initial 40 hours is reached, Barnard said. The position is part time, which limits students to an additional 40 hours per month. The program has an annual budget of about $23,000.