A private university in Portland, Oregon, has acknowledged that assisting the FBI in apprehending a suspected leftist rioter has negatively impacted its “reputation” among donors and the public. This is detailed in documents related to the dismissal of Gary Granger, the director of community safety.
Reed College announced Granger’s termination following his involvement in the suspect’s arrest tied to a riot on June 14 outside immigration facilities in Portland. According to a separation letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, Granger’s collaboration with the FBI has sparked anger within the public and broader community. Many in the donor base are reportedly upset about this situation, as indicated in the letter.
In July, the university began looking into Granger after he provided the FBI with the personal details of Robert Hoops, who was accused of injuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during the protest. Granger, who has worked at Reed for 15 years, maintains that his actions were in line with university policy aimed at ensuring safety for the campus and surrounding community.
“It’s important to clarify that the president of this esteemed university has declined to condemn the arrest of a Reed graduate for allegedly inflicting serious injury,” Granger asserted.
In an official statement regarding Granger’s firing, the university noted it could not discuss HR matters in depth but aims to uphold its values, mentioning the importance of community privacy and trust. They acknowledged the challenges faced by the community during this time.
The university did not address the specific incident involving ICE officers in its recent statement, nor did it shed light on the ongoing investigation into Granger.
Granger pointed out in his dismissal letter that while alumni information could typically be shared under campus policy, his actions did not align with the school’s established protocols for handling such requests. He reported that there was concern about Granger being a “trusted threat” to the campus, which he claims arose only after he discussed his interactions with the FBI.
The university also released a statement emphasizing that the incident raised concerns about communication and collaboration issues, which could influence their leadership efficacy. The letter conveyed that the damage to community trust and the university’s reputation is considerable, and that senior leaders have faced expressions of anger and disappointment from the community.
According to the college’s Data Privacy Policy, there are situations where personal data may be disclosed to investigate illegal activities or safety threats. This policy remains unchanged even after discussions about how staff should respond to law enforcement on campus.
Hoops has pleaded not guilty to charges related to assaulting federal officers and damaging federal property. A judge granted him pretrial release recently. Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor Hoops’ attorneys have commented on the ongoing situation.
Granger emphasized his long history at the university, highlighting his role in creating harm reduction programs and collaborating with law enforcement in response to various incidents of violence. He expressed concern that the decision to dismiss him appeared motivated by pressure from donors rather than a commitment to address violent crime effectively.
