Committee on Charges 2005-06 Annual Report*
To the Academic Senate, Los Angeles Division:
The Charges Committee reviews 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. Anyone may bring a complaint to the Charges Committee if the complaint concerns an alleged violation of one or more of the provisions of the Faculty Code. The Committee’s task is, first, to determine whether the alleged behavior would be in violation of the Faculty Code of Conduct, and then, once a charge has been accepted, to judge whether or not there is “probable cause” that the violation took place. The Committee communicates its findings in a report to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Personnel. The Vice Chancellor discusses any disagreements with the Committee before she/he makes any final decision as to probable cause.
The Committee considered nine new cases during the 2005-06 academic year. Of these, “probable cause” was found in one cases, “no probable cause” in six cases, one was pending negotiations, one case remained in interviewing stages. Four cases were forwarded from the previous year. Of these cases, “probable cause” was found in two cases; “no probable cause” in one case; one case was withdrawn.
Case Summary
Parties |
Alleged Violation |
Outcome |
Senate Faculty |
II.C.4 – Forcible detention, threats of physical harm to, or harassment of another member of the University community, that interferes with that person’s performance of University activities. |
Case settled by Vice Chancellor |
Senate Faculty |
II.D.1 – Making evaluations of the professional competence of faculty members by criteria not directly reflective of professional performance II.D.2 - Discrimination II.D.4 – Breach of established rules governing confidentiality in personnel procedures |
Case settled by Vice Chancellor |
Senate Faculty |
II.D.2 – Discrimination and intentional disruption of functions or activities sponsored and authorized by the University |
Case closed in 2006-2007 |
Senate Faculty |
II-A-5 - Participating or deliberately abetting disruption, or intimidation in the classroom |
No probable cause |
Senate Faculty |
II.D.2 - Discrimination |
No probable cause |
Senate Faculty |
II.D.2 - Sexual harassment |
No probable cause |
Senate Faculty and Administration |
Compromised research data through vendors managing data |
Case settled in 2006-2007 by Vice Chancellor |
Student and Senate Faculty |
II.D.2 Discrimination C.5 – Grade Change |
No probable cause determined in 2006-2007 |
Student and Senate Faculty |
II.D.2 Discrimination C.5 – Grade Change |
No probable cause determined in 2006-2007 |
Senate Faculty |
II.D.2 - Sexual harassment |
No probable cause |
Senate Faculty |
II.A.4 - Use of position of a faculty member to cause harm to a student for arbitrary or personal reasons |
No probable cause determined in 2006-2007 |
In addition to the cases listed above, the Charges Committee approved amendments to Bylaw 95.2. The revisions to Bylaw 95.2 include: changing the name of the Committee on Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures (GDP) to the Grievance Advisory Committee (GAC); and removing the membership requirement of members serving on the Privilege and Tenure Committee and/or the Charges Committee prior to serving on the Grievance Advisory Committee.
The Committee on Charges proposed substantial revisions to Appendix XII, Campus Procedures for Implementation to University Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline. Amendments pertain to cases of sexual harassment and scientific misconduct
The Committee also reviewed, without comment, a number of proposals submitted for its perusal by various administrative offices of the Academic Senate.
It has been a genuine privilege to work with Donna Vredevoe, Vice Chancellor for Academic Personnel, whose dedication to the principles of the Academic Senate is unwavering and unexcelled. The Chair also appreciates the assistance of Professor Robert Goldstein for his sage advice.
Respectfully submitted,
Phillip Bonacich, Sociology
Nina Hyams, Linguistics
Joseph Ostrov, Economics
Leonard Schneiderman, Public Affairs
Katherine Stone, Law
Richard Weiss, History
Jaime Villablanca, Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
JACK KOLB, English, Chair
* Written and approved in 2007