Texas Tech University promised to collaborate with area animal service organizations in managing its feral cat population. TTU administrators proceeded to ignore, even steamroll those very groups, continually promising to collaborate in response to a series of EthicsPoint complaints. This document contains that record.

1. Report #1 Submission Date
8/27/2013
Reported Company/Branch Information
Texas Tech University
Name
Texas Tech University - Lubbock
Location 150 Administration Bldg.
Box 42005
City/State/Zip Lubbock, TX, 79409
Violation Information
Issue Type
Inappropriate Supervisor Directive
Relationship to Institution
Other/Anonymous
What is the general nature of this matter?
Assistant Vice President Hugh Cronin of Facilities Management is purposefully barricading
Texas Tech's Feral Cats under buildings without food or water, which is defined as animal
cruelty under Texas law. Multiple times Cronin has said all cats have been removed and
multiple times cats have been seen barricaded under buildings with no food or water.
How did you become aware of this possible violation?
Other
If other, how?
TTU employees and area animal service organizations
Where did this incident or possible violation occur?
Drane Hall over the last week, other buildings prior to this
Please provide the specific or approximate time this incident occurred.
Thursday evening August 22 all cats removed
Friday morning August 23 two cats sighted behind metal grate with no food or water
Friday evening Cronin orders sheet metal installed so cats cannot be seen
Monday August 26 - two more cats sighted after someone removed sheet metal.
Tuesday August 27 - one more cat sighted
How long do you think this problem has been going on?
1 to 3 months
What leads you to believe the problem has been ongoing?
A June 3rd Tech announcement said the University would partner with local animal service
organizations on cat removal. This turned out to be a complete untruth. Hugh Cronin did not
ask for and turned down numerous offers of aid on the safe and ethical removal of Tech's
community cats.
Please identify the person(s) you feel are engaged in this behavior.
Hugh Cronin - Asst. VP
Chris Cook - Comm/Mktg

2. For the persons named above please indicate whether or not they are affiliated with Texas
Tech.
Yes, they are affiliated with TTU
Have you or someone else previously reported this problem to your supervisor or
management? If so, by whom, to whom, when, and how?
I wrote President Nellis on this very issue and received no reply
Do you suspect or know that a supervisor or management is involved?
Yes
If yes, then who?
Chris Cook wrote that PETA was involved in helping TTU address the issue. PETA officials,
when contacted regarding Tech's animal cruelty, said they had not been contacted by TTU.
Cook's blatant misrepresentation is an ethics violation.
What leads you to believe that a supervisor or management is involved?
Chris Cook wrote that PETA was involved in helping TTU address the issue. PETA officials,
when contacted regarding Tech's animal cruelty, said they had not been contacted by TTU.
Cook's blatant misrepresentation is an ethics violation.
Please identify any persons who have attempted to conceal this problem and the steps they
took to conceal it.
President Nellis ignored it
Chancellor Hance ignored it
Details
There are many e-mails and pictures. The e-mails can be gotten internally via an IT search of
Cronin's and Cook's communications. Pictures exist on the website for the Humane Society
of West Texas and the State of the Division blog.
Follow-Up Notes
Sep 02, 2013, 12:38 PM - Reporter
A petition for TTU to install one way excluder devices instead of sheet metal barricades was
submitted to President Nellis. This petition had over 330 signatures and was sent due to the
urgent need to allow cats out of crawl spaces to obtain food and water.
The Humane Society of West Texas has a second petition with roughly 1,000 signatures asking
TTU to reconsider its heavy handed, uncooperative stategies in regard to feral cat removal.
As of Labor Day 2013 cats have been barricaded under Drane Hall with no food or water for two
weeks. TTU administration has shown no concern over the welfare of these animals and ramped
up its intimidation of people on TTU's campus who are concerned about Tech's animal cruelty.
In one incident the TTU police were called and animal cruelty reported. Assistant Vice President
Hugh Cronin was verbally abusive to the person making the report
Sep 02, 2013, 1:54 PM - TTU
Comment: Thank you for using the Ethics Point reporting system and for your additional
information. We are currently looking into this matter.

3. Sep 04, 2013, 7:39 PM - Reporter
Reply: I request a formal reply to concerns stated in this report.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:00 PM - Reporter
It's been two weeks since I submitted this concern. When might I hear something other than
"we're looking into it?"
Sep 14, 2013, 3:53 PM - TTU
Comment: Hugh Cronin is no longer with the university. After his departure, administration
continued to seek opportunities to partner with the campus and the
student organization in an effort to strengthen the viability of the program intended to relocate
the feral cats away from residence halls, dining halls, and child development center. Since your
report, the university has partnered with the campus feral cat caregivers to ensure no cats are
trapped under Drane Hall. During this process, another opening was discovered in the basement
allowing cats to freely enter and exit the building once again confirming cats had never been
completely trapped underneath the building. Before the remaining opening is sealed, a university
employee will again put on protective hazmat gear and crawl under the building to verify there
are no cats. As soon as the campus feral cat caregivers and anyone else interested in this process
witness the search and are satisfied with the results, the opening will be permanently sealed.
Thank you for using the Ethics Point reporting system.
Sep 15, 2013, 9:49 AM - Reporter
Reply: Finding a hole after the fact does not impact facilities management's behavior or intent in
the handling of this situation. It promised to collaborate, then never did.
Your response did not address the unprofessional behavior of Hugh Cronin (verbal abuse) or
Chris Cook (lying). It did not address President Nellis' or Chancellor Hance's ignoring the
problem for weeks to months.
If this is the quality of investigation at a University level I am sorely disappointed. It confirms
my assessment that corporate compliance programs exist for show.

4. Report #2 Submission Date
10/7/2013
Reported Company/Branch Information
Texas Tech University
Name
Texas Tech University - Lubbock
Location 150 Administration Bldg.
Box 42005
City/State/Zip Lubbock, TX, 79409
Violation Information
Issue Type
Other Human Resource Concerns
Relationship to Institution
Other/Anonymous
What is the general nature of this matter?
I would like to file a complaint regarding a previous Ethics Point "investigation." The
"investigation" did not address any of a number of listed concerns regarding unethical leadership
behavior at the top at Texas Tech University. I can only assume there are no standards for an
Ethics Point investigation. The one I received seemed Ethics Point-less.
How did you become aware of this possible violation?
It happened to me
Where did this incident or possible violation occur?
In whichever office conducts EthicsPoint investigations or the offices above that one that
ordered the investigator to avoid any stated issues and offer political sounding nonsense.
Please provide the specific or approximate time this incident occurred.
Sep 14, 2013, 3:53 PM
How long do you think this problem has been going on?
Don't know
What leads you to believe the problem has been ongoing?
The litany of false statements offered by Texas Tech administrators listed in my 8/27/13
complaint and the investigators complete avoidance of stating or addressing. I do know
Chancellor Hance and President Nellis repeatedly ignored concerns submitted directly to them
on the issue. I imagine it would have been very difficult for a lower level staffer to even ask
questions that clearly revealed senior Tech administrators to be bald faced liars and bullies.
Please identify the person(s) you feel are engaged in this behavior.
EthicsPoint Investigator
Duane Nellis - President - Stuck head in sand
Kent Hance - Chancellor - ignored lies by Tech marketing people and intimidation by Facilities
AVP
For the persons named above please indicate whether or not they are affiliated with Texas
Tech.

5. All are affiliated with Texas Tech, unless Tech contracts out EthicsPoint investigations
Have you or someone else previously reported this problem to your supervisor or
management? If so, by whom, to whom, when, and how?
Report Submission Date (My original complaint)
8/27/2013
Reported Company/Branch Information
Name Texas Tech University
Location Texas Tech University - Lubbock
150 Administration Bldg.
Box 42005
City/State/Zip Lubbock, TX, 79409
Violation Information
Issue Type
Inappropriate Supervisor Directive
Relationship to Institution
Other/Anonymous
What is the general nature of this matter?
Assistant Vice President Hugh Cronin of Facilities Management is purposefully barricading
Texas Tech's Feral Cats under buildings without food or water, which is defined as animal
cruelty under Texas law. Multiple times Cronin has said all cats have been removed and multiple
times cats have been seen barricaded under buildings with no food or water.
How did you become aware of this possible violation?
Other
If other, how?
TTU employees and area animal service organizations
Where did this incident or possible violation occur?
Drane Hall over the last week, other buildings prior to this
Please provide the specific or approximate time this incident occurred.
Thursday evening August 22 all cats removed
Friday morning August 23 two cats sighted behind metal grate with no food or water
Friday evening Cronin orders sheet metal installed so cats cannot be seen
Monday August 26 - two more cats sighted after someone removed sheet metal.
Tuesday August 27 - one more cat sighted
How long do you think this problem has been going on?
1 to 3 months
What leads you to believe the problem has been ongoing?
A June 3rd Tech announcement said the University would partner with local animal service
organizations on cat removal. This turned out to be a complete untruth. Hugh Cronin did not ask
for and turned down numerous offers of aid on the safe and ethical removal of Tech's community
cats.
Please identify the person(s) you feel are engaged in this behavior.
Hugh Cronin - Asst. VP
Chris Cook - Comm/Mktg
For the persons named above please indicate whether or not they are affiliated with Texas Tech.
Yes, they are affiliated with TTU
Have you or someone else previously reported this problem to your supervisor or management?

6. If so, by whom, to whom, when, and how?
I wrote President Nellis on this very issue and received no reply
Do you suspect or know that a supervisor or management is involved?
Yes
If yes, then who?
Chris Cook wrote that PETA was involved in helping TTU address the issue. PETA officials,
when contacted regarding Tech's animal cruelty, said they had not been contacted by TTU.
Cook's blatant misrepresentation is an ethics violation.
What leads you to believe that a supervisor or management is involved?
Chris Cook wrote that PETA was involved in helping TTU address the issue. PETA officials,
when contacted regarding Tech's animal cruelty, said they had not been contacted by TTU.
Cook's blatant misrepresentation is an ethics violation.
Please identify any persons who have attempted to conceal this problem and the steps they took
to conceal it.
President Nellis ignored it
Chancellor Hance ignored it
Details
There are many e-mails and pictures. The e-mails can be gotten internally via an IT search of
Cronin's and Cook's communications. Pictures exist on the website for the Humane Society of
West Texas and the State of the Division blog.
Follow-Up Notes
Sep 02, 2013, 12:38 PM - Reporter
A petition for TTU to install one way excluder devices instead of sheet metal barricades was
submitted to President Nellis. This petition had over 330 signatures and was sent due to the
urgent need to allow cats out of crawl spaces to obtain food and water.
The Humane Society of West Texas has a second petition with roughly 1,000 signatures asking
TTU to reconsider its heavy handed, uncooperative stategies in regard to feral cat removal.
As of Labor Day 2013 cats have been barricaded under Drane Hall with no food or water for two
weeks. TTU administration has shown no concern over the welfare of these animals and ramped
up its intimidation of people on TTU's campus who are concerned about Tech's animal cruelty.
In one incident the TTU police were called and animal cruelty reported. Assistant Vice President
Hugh Cronin was verbally abusive to the person making the report
Sep 11, 2013, 11:00 PM - Reporter
It's been two weeks since I submitted this concern. When might I hear something other than
"we're looking into it?"
Oct 02, 2013, 10:14 PM - Reporter
Where do I file a complaint regarding this hapless ethics investigation? Are there no standards
for an Ethics Point investigation? This one is Ethics Pointless.
Follow-Up Questions/Comments

7. Sep 02, 2013, 1:54 PM - TTU
Comment: Thank you for using the Ethics Point reporting system
and for your additional information. We are currently
looking into this matter.
Sep 04, 2013, 7:39 PM - Reporter
Reply: I request a formal reply to concerns stated in this report.
Sep 14, 2013, 3:53 PM - TTU
Comment: Hugh Cronin is no longer with the university. After his departure, administration
continued to seek opportunities to partner with the campus and the student organization in an
effort to strengthen the viability of the program intended to relocate the feral cats away from
residence halls, dining halls, and child development center. Since your report, the university
has partnered with the campus feral cat caregivers to ensure no cats are trapped under Drane
Hall. During this process, another opening was discovered in the basement allowing cats to
freely enter and exit the building once again confirming cats had never been completely trapped
underneath the building. Before the remaining opening is sealed, a university employee will
again put on protective hazmat gear and crawl under the building to verify there are no cats. As
soon as the campus feral cat caregivers and anyone else interested in this process witness the
search and are satisfied with the results, the opening will be permanently sealed.
Thank you for using the Ethics Point reporting system.
Sep 15, 2013, 9:49 AM - Reporter
Reply: Finding a hole after the fact does not impact facilities management's behavior or intent in
the handling of this situation. It promised to collaborate, then never did.
Your response did not address the unprofessional behavior of Hugh Cronin (verbal abuse) or
Chris Cook (lying). It did not address President Nellis' or Chancellor Hance's ignoring the
problem for weeks to months.
If this is the quality of investigation at a University level I am sorely disappointed. It confirms
my assessment that corporate compliance programs exist for show.
Do you suspect or know that a supervisor or management is involved?
Yes
If yes, then who?
I know TTU Senior Leaders did nothing to make the Facilities AVP fulfill promises made.
They covered up his unethical and pathological behavior with "after the fact" findings that
had nothing to do with the AVP's intent or behavior.
It seems TTU leaders don't have ethics standards for communication if their top person can
offer a bald faced lie and this not be addressed at all in the investigation. The university's
response feels like the usual political speech that dismisses serious concerns. Done in a
university setting, it's especially egregious.
What leads you to believe that a supervisor or management is involved?
Someone clearly botched an investigation. I believe this was due to fear of reprisal from TTU

8. Senior Leaders for even asking my questions. That, or the investigator got nonsense speech
from the parties involved and had neither the status or protection to challenge such.
Please identify any persons who have attempted to conceal this problem and the steps they
took to conceal it.
EthicsPoint would need to look at who was contacted by the investigator and their replies.
The "investigation" itself is hapless. It completely avoids the cruel behavior of the AVP
Facilities and the lie from the Marketing/Communications leader.
Details
Having done many investigations over the years I could not believe the shoddiness of TTU's
response to my initial EthicsPoint report. My concerns were not taken seriously and TTU's
top leaders clearly endorsed the behavior of their underlings. Why did this occur?
Follow-Up Questions/Comments
Oct 09, 2013, 5:18 PM - TTU
Comment: This matter has been fully investigated. Texas Tech will continue to pursue best
practices to ensure the health, safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff in
cooperation with the appropriate organizations for the humane treatment of the feral cat
population.
Chief Audit Executive and CPA
Texas Tech University System
Oct 10, 2013, 11:29 PM - Reporter
Reply: Horse hockey. What EthicsPoint supplied me was far from a full investigation. I
welcome the complete investigation report, which shows an evaluation of Hugh Cronin's
intimidating behavior and Chris Cook's lying. Both were completely ignored in the EthicsPoint
reply to my initial concern.
Tech made numerous promises then never delivered. Your statement, in light of Tech
representatives’ unethical behavior, is patently false. I'm sure there are obligations within the
CPA code of ethics that you may wish to re-examine. Tech can lie and intimidate, but
accountants are supposed to examine and report what they see.

9. Report #3 Submission Date
1/4/2014
Reported Company/Branch Information
Texas Tech University
Name
Texas Tech University - Lubbock
Location 150 Administration Bldg.
Box 42005
City/State/Zip Lubbock, TX, 79409
Violation Information
Issue Type
Conflict of Interest
Relationship to Institution
Other/Anonymous
What is the general nature of this matter?
Tech leaders promised to collaborate with the student run Feral Cat organization on reducing
the number of feral cats on campus. Tech leaders never delivered on this promise, a huge
ethical failure.
How did you become aware of this possible violation?
Other
If other, how?
Reports from Tech students and staff involved in Feral Cats as well as Lubbock animal
service organization representatives.
Where did this incident or possible violation occur?
Repeatedly in the top administrative offices and facilities management. Tech's Chris Cook in
marketing and communications outright lied numerous times on this subject. That is also an
ethics violation.
Please provide the specific or approximate time this incident occurred.
Over Christmas break Tech leaders again ramped up cat removal without contacting any
Tech Feral students or supporting staff. Tech used university owned traps to catch the cats.
Facilities staff stole the feeding bowls provided by Tech Feral and used them in the traps.
Earlier this semester Tech staff stole cat shelters.
How long do you think this problem has been going on?
3 months to a year
What leads you to believe the proble m has been ongoing?
The University began removing the cats in the summer. It chose to ramp up trapping again
while students were gone for Christmas break.
Please identify the person(s) you feel are engaged in this behavior.
Kent Meredith - Facilities Management
Duane Nellis - President

10. For the persons named above please indicate whether or not they are affiliated with Texas
Tech.
Yes, both are affiliated with Texas Tech. Also, staff members who stole food bowls and cat
shelters, although I do not know their names.
Have you or someone else previously reported this problem to your supervisor or
management? If so, by whom, to whom, when, and how?
Yes, I reported Tech's failure to deliver on its promise to collaborate two times via
EthicsPoint. One response stated "Hugh Cronin is no longer with the university. After his
departure, administration continued to seek opportunities to partner with the campus and the
student organization in an effort to strengthen the viability of the program intended to
relocate the feral cats away from residence halls, dining halls, and child development center."
Administration did no such thing.
Do you suspect or know that a supervisor or management is involved?
Yes
If yes, then who?
Kent Meredith and Duane Nellis.
What leads you to believe that a supervisor or management is involved?
Numerous contacts were made by e-mail with both parties. Nellis never responded to any
concerns shared, while Meredith conducted the latest round of cat removal without
contacting TechFeral students or staff.
Please identify any persons who have attempted to conceal this problem and the steps they
took to conceal it.
Kent Meredith ignored concerns that staff were stealing food bowls and cat shelters. He was
not the least bit forthcoming about the renewed strategy to remove cats from campus.
Details
Texas Tech University committed to collaborating with local animal service organizations on
reducing the number of cats in the university's longstanding feral cat colony. Here's what
collaboration looks like.
Plan - Involve feral cat caretakers, TTU students and staff, in ascertaining the feral cat
population on campus. Determine solutions to identified concerns in conjunction with
caretakers. Test those strategies to see their impact. Identify who is responsible for various
parts of the plan. Meet regularly to share feedback on actions taken and course correct. Have
agreed upon measures for success and methods for communicating when surprises arise. Be
forthright, open and honest in dealings with one another and the public.
Tech did none of the above with the university's feral cat caretakers. Facilities Chief Hugh
Cronin and Marketing's Chris Cook started Tech's Feral Cat War in the heat of summer,
which has been ably continued by new Facilities Chief Chief Kent Meredith.
TTU accelerated cat trapping and removal during the Winter break. The university had the
audacity to steal bowls provided by cat caretakers and use those inside their traps. This move
came after Tech staff removed shelters donated by cat caretakers.

11. Tech repeatedly shut out the very groups it promised to work with, thus it's clear the
university's intent was never to collaborate. At every turn Tech acted unilaterally with
arrogance and hubris.
Top administrators ignored expressed objections, breaking their silence only with worthless
replies to EthicsPoint complaints. I queried EthicsPoint on Tech's non-investigation and
hapless response, which reiterated on September 14, 2013:
"Hugh Cronin is no longer with the university. After his departure, administration continued
to seek opportunities to partner with the campus and the student organization in an effort to
strengthen the viability of the program intended to relocate the feral cats away from residence
halls, dining halls, and child development center. "
Over three months later Tech's collaboration mantra remains unfulfilled. EthicsPoint advised
me to submit the concerns yet again. I may do so next year.
Might TTU actually fulfill it's longstanding promise to collaborate with feral cat caretakers in
2014? Might it look like the Plan picture painted above? The ball is in (and has always been)
in Tech's court.
Follow-Up Questions/Comments
Jan 09, 2014, 8:30 AM - TTU
Comment: TTU administration is working toward a cooperative and successful feral cat
population on TTU’s campus that takes into consideration the health and safety of our faculty,
staff, and students. Texas Tech administrators have planned to initiate a meeting with the
President of TTU’s Feral Cat Association, a student organization registered with SGA in Fall
2013. The purpose of this meeting will be to jointly complete the City of Lubbock’s required
Feral Cat Caretaker Application. This will appropriately document TTU’s feral cat colony,
including number of animals, identification, and appropriate feeding locations. Quarterly
meetings will continue between TTU administrators and the President of TTU’s Feral Cat
Association.
Sincerely,
Texas Tech University Administration
Jan 11, 2014, 11:17 PM - Reporter
Reply: This is the third promise to collaborate since June 3rd, 2013. "Planned to initiate a
meeting" comes after "continued to seek opportunities to partner" which followed "in
conjunction with" and "with the assistance of these organizations." The longer it goes the less
University administrators are willing to commit.
So why didn't Tech administrators fulfill their prior commitments to collaborate, made on June
3rd and September 14th? You can say it, "because they didn't feel like it." Arrogance and hubris
are alive and well at the top of Texas Tech.

12. Jan 16, 2014, 11:15 PM - Reporter
So why didn't Tech administrators fulfill their prior commitments to collaborate, made on June
3rd and September 14th?
It's a simple question and deserves an answer.
Jan 21, 2014, 1:22 PM - TTU
Comment: The meeting between University officials and Feral Cat Association officials is
scheduled for this week.
Kim Turner
Jan 21, 2014, 11:00 PM - Reporter
Reply: That's not an answer as to why Tech officials did not fulfill their twice offered promise to
collaborate.
Also, there was a trap outside Drane Hall this morning. The trap stated it was property of Texas
Tech Operations Division. Speaking of property, your reply never addressed TTU's theft of
bowls and shelters provided by TechFeral and staff cat caregivers. It seems the university owes
them an official apology, at the least, and even remuneration.
It's amazing how educated people cannot answer the simplest why questions. It's sad university
leadership has sunk to the lowest common denominator alongside political language.
Jan 23, 2014, 11:46 PM - Reporter
Given the sorry nature of Tech's communications and the incredibly inept investigation and
hapless response to my identified concerns, my next step is to file a complaint with SACSCOC.
Rest assured I'll include the CPA who gave my concerns short shrift.
Jan 27, 2014, 10:05 AM - TTU
Comment: University administrators met with the co-advisors and the president of the Tech
Feral Cat Coalition on Friday, 1/24/14. The tone of the meeting was described as positive and
collaborative. Some highlights:
• The Coalition will complete and submit the city’s Feral Cat Caretaker Application.
• Feeding locations and times will be jointly defined, with approved feeders clearly labeled. All
other feeders will be removed.
• Trapping and management of the cat population will be handled by the Coalition as long as the
Coalition is active on campus.
• TTU will be developing an OP related to animals on campus (including feral cats) and will seek
input from the Coalition. There will be disciplinary provisions included in the OP for tampering
with or altering items that could have an adverse effect on a successful feral cat colony.
• Quarterly meetings will be held between AVP Operations and the president of Tech Feral Cat
Coalition to discuss what has been done over the past 3 months, what’s working, areas for
improvement, and plans for next 3 months.
• Only communications from the president of Tech Feral Cat Coalition will be responded to by

13. AVP Operations (or others in administration). All other interested parties in TTU’s feral cat
colony should communicate concerns to the president of the Tech Feral Cat Coalition.
You should direct any future questions or concerns about the feral cat population to the Tech
Feral Cat Coalition. Future complaints through EthicsPoint will be communicated to the
Coalition and the complaint closed.
Sincerely,
Kim Turner
Jan 30, 2014, 8:34 PM - Reporter
Reply: Typical future oriented horse hockey with no, as in zero, explanations for past unethical
behavior. My grandfather was a CPA and quite proud of his profession. I'm sure he'd be appalled
by your hapless investigation, in addition to other changes in the accounting profession.
Interesting that compliance is a tool to discipline employees donating their time, money and
expertise. It's not a vehicle for people to receive a fair hearing or get their ethical concerns
answered.
Tech's heavy hand remains regarding this issue. Congratulations on TTU's bullying staff and
students. I'm fairly sure no students will want to be part of this program, given the way the
University ran over their group from June 2013 to January 24, 2014.
Tech will pay for this financially, just as Angelo State did under President Jim Hindman. It
remains to be seen what kind of pest infestation Tech gets. Will it be mice or rats? They are a
great food source for snakes. Whatever Tech gets it will be justly earned.
Also, once you remove a stable neutered cat population Tech is open territory for unfixed cats. I
expect in three years Tech will have more cats than exist in Kent Hance's or Duane Nellis'
nightmares.