COMMITTEE
ON CHARGES, 2001-2002 ANNUAL REPORT
To The Academic Senate,
The task of the Charges Committee is to review complaints of
alleged violations of the Faculty Code of Conduct brought against members of
the Academic Senate or faculty in other series who have teaching
responsibilities similar to that of members of the Academic Senate. The Committee’s responsibility is to make an
initial review of the complaint and consider whether the behavior, if it
actually occurred, would be in violation of the Faculty Code of Conduct. Once a complaint is accepted, the Committee
holds an informal hearing to determine whether or not there is “probable cause”
that the violation occurred. The
Committee prepares a report and communicated its findings to the Vice
Chancellor for Academic Personnel. If
the Committee finds “probable cause”, it submits recommendations for proposed
sanctions and the case is forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for Academic
Personnel who may attempt to negotiate a settlement before submitting the case
to the Committee on Privilege and Tenure.
If however, the Vice Chancellor disagrees with the findings of the
Charges Committee, he/she will discuss any disagreements with the Committee
before any final decision is made by the Vice Chancellor.
The Committee received seven new cases during the 01-02
academic year. Of these, “probable
cause” was found in whole or in part in two cases; “no probable cause” in two
cases; and three cases were declined.
In the first category, both cases included multiple
complaints which were examined separately.
The first case included complaints of: 1) forced detention, threats,
harassment, intimidation and retaliation; 2) making evaluations not reflective
of performance; and 3) breach of established rules. No probable cause was found in 2) and part of
1) (retaliation); “probable cause” in 3) and 1) (except for retaliation). The Vice Chancellor negotiated settlement before
forwarding to the Committee on Privilege and Tenure. The second case included a list of eleven
complaints. The Committee found
“probable cause” in nine of these and “no probable cause” in two. The Vice Chancellor is waiting to forward
this case to the Committee on Privilege and Tenure until the faculty member is
released from incarceration and rehabilitation.
In the second category, “no probable cause” was found in one
case alleging failure to meet responsibility and another alleging forcible
detention, threats of physical harm, discrimination and harassment.
In the third category, the Committee declined to consider
one case alleging unauthorized use of University resources for personal
purposes and knowing violation of University policy, a second case alleging
knowing violation and intentional misrepresentation of University policy and a
third case alleging non-adherence to ethical principles and unprofessional
conduct. Of these, the first two were
declined as being beyond the purview of the Committee. In the third, the Committee was unable to
identify specific charges.
In accordance with Appendix XII procedures, the Chair
(reporting to the Committee) was included in discussions of five alleged sexual
harassment cases. None of these were
submitted to the Charges Committee during the 2001-02 academic year.
The Charges Committee also considered the following action
items:
1)
Discussed
the UCLA Senate Development Campaign.
Committee members decided to pledge and support the campaign
individually.
2)
Five
year performance review of Chancellor Albert Carnesale. Since none of the Committee members had
personal or professional contact with the Chancellor, it was decided that no
response was indicated.
3)
Discussed
and participated in the “Conformance of the Faculty Code of Conduct, APM
015-016 and Senate Bylaw 334-7 to Divisional Bylaws.”
The Chair is deeply grateful to all members of the Committee
for their careful deliberations and their dedication of time and effort to this
process. Appreciation is also extended
to Vice Chancellor Vredevoe for her commitment to and support of this committee
and her compassionate dedication to fairness in the academic environment. Our special thanks to Ms. Judy Nawa for her
outstanding efficiency, warmth and support.
Respectfully submitted,
Carole Browner, Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Science
Larry Butcher, Psychology
Nathaniel Grossman, Mathematics
Nina Hyams, Linguistics
Christine Littleton, Law
Karen Orren, Political Science
Maria Seraydarian, Nursing
September 4, 2002