Report 2017-125 Recommendation 3 Responses

Report 2017-125: The University of California: It Must Take Additional Steps to Address Long-Standing Issues With Its Response to Sexual Harassment Complaints (Release Date: June 2018)

Recommendation #3 To: University of California

To ensure prompt resolution of sexual harassment complaints against faculty respondents, the Office of the President should amend the appropriate policies to require that the chancellor or designee issue a final decision about discipline within 14 calendar days following receipt of the tenure committee's recommendation. This change should take effect by July 2019.

1-Year Agency Response

On July 31, 2019, the University issued a revised Investigation and Adjudication Framework for Senate and Non-Senate Faculty (Faculty Framework). The revised framework requires that chancellors or their designees issue a final disciplinary decisions within 14 days of receiving the Privilege and Tenure Committee's recommendation. President Napolitano issued the framework with instructions that campuses make corresponding amendments to their local procedures. The revised framework is posted online.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

The Office of the President has modified its framework to specify that a chancellor or their designee issue a final decision about discipline within 14 calendar days following receipt of the tenure committee's recommendation.


6-Month Agency Response

The Systemwide Title IX Office drafted revisions to the University's framework governing the investigation and adjudication of sexual harassment complaints against faculty to require that the chancellor or designee issue a final disciplinary decisions within 14 days of receiving the Privilege and Tenure Committee's recommendation. The Systemwide Title IX Office is engaging in the appropriate consultation with affected stakeholders to finalize the changes. Once finalized the University will disseminate and publish the revised procedure, and require that campuses make corresponding amendments to their local procedures.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

The Office of the President has drafted changes to its framework and is in the process of reviewing and approving those changes.


60-Day Agency Response

The University will amend its framework governing the investigation and adjudication of sexual harassment complaints against faculty to require that the chancellor or designee issue a final disciplinary decisions within 14 days of receiving the Privilege and Tenure Committee's recommendation. Once finalized the University will disseminate and publish the revised procedure, and require that campuses make corresponding amendments to their local procedures.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: No Action Taken

The University has expressed its intent to implement this recommendation. We look forward to reviewing the University's progress in its six-month response.


All Recommendations in 2017-125

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.