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CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro resigns amid scrutiny over handling of sexual misconduct case
Really, the only question is why it took so long.
But we even know the answer to that, don't we?
Excerpt from the LA Times article:
Castro’s resignation comes amid widespread criticism after reports that as president of Fresno State in 2020, Castro quietly authorized a $260,000 payout and a retirement package for former Vice President of Student Affairs Frank Lamas, who was the subject of complaints of bullying and sexual harassment that began in 2014. Castro also provided a glowing letter of recommendation to Lamas without disclosing university investigative findings supporting the allegations of sexual misconduct.
Where have we seen that before? The article goes on:
“I think it’s the right move,” said Katherine Fobear, an assistant professor in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies who was hired in 2017 when Castro and Lamas were at the university.
She said that the Lamas case underscores a wider problem across the 23-campus university in which underfunded and understaffed campus offices are unable to properly investigate numerous complaints that are filed.
“I hope that people really don’t stop at what Castro did,” Fobear said. “The bigger problem is how our Fresno state failed to follow and support proper Title IX process.”
Former Fresno State professor Cristina Herrera left the university last year after repeatedly reporting to top administrators, including Castro, that human relations and faculty affairs officials had not investigated repeated harassment complaints she had filed against a former faculty member, according to emails reviewed by The Times.
Retreat rights?
Lamas was hired as vice president of student affairs in May 2014. According to his hiring letter, he reported directly to Castro and held so-called retreat rights that would have allowed him to move into a faculty position should he be terminated from his position of leadership. As part of Lamas’ hiring agreement, he could have become an assistant professor with the university’s Department of Educational Research and Administration.
Castro said a settlement was the only way to cut ties with Lamas permanently and keep him from returning to the Cal State system.
Fresno State said it has since eliminated the “retreat rights” from hiring negotiations for employees.
How does this happen?
Castro’s handling of the Lamas case highlights the wide latitude that senior administrators hold in interpreting when a complaint should be investigated, according to Fresno State professor Kathryn Forbes, an expert in sexual harassment and employment discrimination. She said senior administrators in the Cal State system are more interested in preventing potential legal problems than in rooting out suspected harassment, intimidation and retaliation.
