Cal State lacks accountability processes for sexual misconduct, report finds
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San José State University in 2012. Photo: Daderot via Wikimedia Commons
The 23-campus California State University, the U.S.' largest four-year public university system, has systematically failed to properly respond to allegations of sexual misconduct, discrimination and bullying, according to a new report from the law firm Cozen O'Connor.
State of play: The CSU Board of Trustees commissioned the report after a USA Today investigation revealed last year that then-CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro mishandled claims of sexual harassment against a senior administrator while he was serving as president of CSU's Fresno campus.
- Castro did not discipline the administrator and instead let his behavior continue, USA Today reported. Ultimately, the administrator was given a $260,000 settlement and letter of recommendation for future employment, according to a settlement agreement obtained by the news outlet.
- Castro, who became CSU chancellor just weeks after the settlement, resigned in February 2022 after fallout from the probe.
- The need for more accountability and oversight, however, wasn't limited to the Fresno campus, Cozen O'Connor found in its assessment.
Driving the news: The new report highlights a string of misconduct claims from 2020 to 2022, including alleged sexual harassment of employees by a university president's husband, alleged inappropriate touching by athletics trainers and alleged death threats by a professor who was in a relationship with a graduate student.
- In many cases, campuses were unable to adequately enforce applicable university policies or state and federal laws like Title IX due to severe understaffing, per the report.
- Lack of clear, centralized and consistent processes for tracking and managing reported incidents led to difficulties coordinating across the CSU system and left people feeling vulnerable.
- CSU also failed to establish practices for responding to other conduct concerns like bullying and other unprofessional behaviors, the report added.
What they're saying: These failures altogether eroded trust in CSU's ability to handle allegations, the report noted.
- "We repeatedly heard the perception that 'nothing happens' when a report is made, that the bar is too high for an individual to bring a complaint, and that the university 'doesn't care,'" Cozen O’Connor reported, adding that there remains a need for holding "individuals accountable for conduct that violates policy."
Interim chancellor Jolene Koester said in a written statement that Monday's report provides "a pathway that moves us from where we have fallen short to a stronger and more vital university system."
- "We will not squander this opportunity," Koester added. "We will get this right. The CSU's mission and core values demand it and our community deserves it."
Of note: Mildred García will serve as CSU’s next chancellor as it moves into this next phase. She will be the first Latina in the role.