NM college president suspended

Posted at: 10/21/2009 7:09 PM
By: The Associated Press

TUCUMCARI, N.M. (AP) - The Mesalands Community College board of trustees has suspended President Phillip Barry for five days without pay in response to allegations that he was driving under the influence while in Albuquerque.

Court records show Barry was charged with DUI last Friday. Barry could not be immediately reached for comment.

Barry's suspension began Wednesday, and his use of a college vehicle has been revoked by trustees.

Trustees Chair J. Bronson Moore said in a statement that Barry will be required to submit to mandatory substance abuse screening and counseling and that verification must be reported to the college's personnel department.

Moore says the board requires the president to meet a high standard of conduct. The 58-year-old Barry has been Mesalands' president for 13 years.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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