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NCCC President retires in midst of investigation

James Klyczek, the now former President of Niagara County Community College, has retired. 

Niagara County Community College sign

SANBORN, N.Y. - James Klyczek, the now former President of Niagara County Community College, retired Wednesday afternoon.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's office has asked for an investigation into his handling of a case involving a sexual assault that took place on campus.

This also comes as the college's Board of Trustees recently hired a law firm to investigate allegations of potential bid rigging after federal investigators issued subpoenas on the financing and construction contracts which Klycek negotiated.

Among those that got the work, LP Ciminelli, the same firm whose former top executives are under indictment on bid-rigging charges connected to Buffalo Billion projects, including Kevin Schuler, who was a member of the NCCC Board of Trustees when the Culinary Institute was being built.

Klyczek's departure came prior to a meeting at which the board was expected to discuss personnel matters. The board accepted his retirement and appointed as Luba Chiiwniak, the college's Vice President of Academic Affairs, as the college's officer in charge. The board will now immediately search for an interim president before eventually searching for a permanent replacement.

Klyczek will receive the same retirement benefits as any other SUNY employee, according to Board of Trustees Chairman Vincent Ginestre.

Ginestre did not take questions from reporters, but he issued a public statement at the meeting on Wednesday.

"Although he finalized his retirement just hours before the vote, the Board wants to clearly state that Dr. Klyczek's reported words and actions have been inappropriate, insensitive and inconsistent with the values of our college," Ginestre said.

Faculty Senate President Lori Townsend said she's relieved Klyczek is gone, regardless of whether he retired, resigned or was fired.

"I think we now we can move forward," Townsend said, "and focus on what we're in the business of doing. And that's educate students."

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