To: The Faculty and Staff of Pittsburgh Technical College

From: Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, President/CEO

Subject: Moving Forward Together

Dear PTC Community,

I wanted to remind you of Open Office Hours today, Wednesday 10/25/2023, and every Wednesday for
the next several weeks from 2-3 p.m. in my office. Come with your thoughts and ideas about how we
move PTC forward together and as always, bring an open mind! We will also be hosting the President’s
Community Meeting on Thursday 10/26/2023 at 11:00-11:45 in the Gallery. This is a required meeting,
and I am asking everyone not on leave or teaching to join me, if possible, as we reset and set a course
for the future united by our mission and the students we serve.

Please be aware that a local news station ran a follow up story last evening. They are reporting that
previous allegations are facts when they are perspectives without merit. We are considering taking legal
action against WPXI-TV, the Cox Media Group, and NBC Universal based on material concerns about its
reporting accuracy. We also want our PTC community to know that we plan to take legal action against
individuals who continue to spread false/misleading information, share privileged and confidential
materials, and/or continue to damage our institution and brand.
These actions are hurting our college and students. They are impacting our enrollment and the ability to
fundraise, which in turn further hurts our ability to serve students. It must stop and we must unite to
move Pittsburgh Technical College forward together during this critical period.

I have never suggested that I am a perfect leader. But I can tell you, at ALL times, I have nothing but the
College’s best interests at heart and that commitment has guided every decision, from selecting the lowest
bid copier contract saving the college $10,000 per month and support for student scholarships, to
providing a scholarship to a local high school for a student to attend PTC that supports our mission of
expanding access and enabling student success.

Further, this decision was also executed in collaboration with college personnel and was a net neutral
decision costing the college no additional resources, due to enrollment in an under-enrolled program and
the current vacancy rate in housing. Further, it is important to note that the decision did not deprive the
college of resources that another student might have paid, as was alleged.

Lastly, the development of a blueprint for change for PTC and showcasing the college’s strategic planning
process through a publication, is also standard practice in higher education and violated no rules. This
college project was positioned to elevate PTC’s profile as a collegiate institution. As president, I was
unaware of the costs now attributed to reviewing and editing a mere 200-page document, nor did I
approve, or sign invoices related to this project.

The Board has reviewed these decisions and stand in support, and affirmed that I did not break any law,
regulation, rule, policy, or directive with respect to the decision regarding the book, and each decision
was within my scope as President.
Let us not forget the Board has concluded that there was no wrong-doing and is ready to move forward.
As I encourage us all to do together. We will not continue to rehash the past. We are moving on, and
again, I urge you to join us.

I look forward to talking with all of you this week, because only together are we PTCSTRONG!