Home » Charges that a UC Davis professor threatened Zionists are unresolved. Regents want action – Jobsmaa.com

Charges that a UC Davis professor threatened Zionists are unresolved. Regents want action – Jobsmaa.com

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The University of California is aiming to speed up the faculty disciplinary process amid criticism that cases are taking too long to conclude — including a UC Davis professor accused of publishing threats to Zionist journalists.

UC officials told the Board of Regents at a meeting Wednesday in San Francisco that potential reforms include system-wide case tracking to understand where there are delays, chancellor progress reports on cases, timelines for completing investigations and a system-wide faculty panel to review cases. Reluctance to take personal premises.

The UC Davis case was not mentioned at the meeting, but it has been a driving force for reform.

Three days after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, a post on the X account by UC Davis assistant professor of American Studies, Gemma DeGristo, said: “One group of people we have easy access to in America are these Zionist journalists who spread propaganda and disinformation / they have homes, addresses, children in school. / They may fear their bosses, but they should fear us more 🔪🪓🩸🩸🩸.”

The post drew widespread condemnation and calls for DeGristo's firing. UC Regent Jay Suarez called the comments “antisemitic and disgusting” at the time, while UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May denounced them He said the case would be “revolted by all means” and investigated. The university declined to comment on the status of the case Wednesday, saying it involved “confidential personal matters.”

DeCristo, who earns $116,800 annually, is listed in the UC Davis faculty directory but has not taught since the controversial posting 15 months ago. The professor did not respond to a request for comment.

The UC Academic Senate takes the lead in reviewing cases of faculty misconduct and may recommend sanctions, including written censure, salary reduction, promotion, suspension without pay or dismissal.

Academic Senate President Steven W. Cheung warned regulators on Wednesday against rushing to overhaul the regulatory process. Detailed reviews, which lead to lengthy investigations in complex cases, may take time to complete beyond predetermined goals, he said. He cited criminal cases where convictions were overturned due to flaws in the investigative process. Cheung said UC must protect against such errors that could result in dismissal of lawsuits, financial penalties or damage to the university's reputation.

“There is a natural tendency to quickly close teacher misconduct cases where factual evidence points to an alleged overt assault or seemingly incriminating action, but the satisfactory closure of all cases, sensational and otherwise, requires that the accused be diminished by our collective American credibility. “Innocent until now,” Cheung said in writing on Wednesday Adherence to transparent procedures that comply with state and federal laws is essential.”

However, Regents Suarez and Rich Leib expressed impatience with the regulatory process.

“When you look at the timeline, it goes beyond what is necessary and reasonable,” Leap said.

Suarez said UC needs to “improve the system.”

“The current process, in my mind, is unacceptable,” he said. “The idea that teachers should be self-governing is not working. Nothing about this system is working right now.

Leib, Suarez and Regent Maria Angiano will form a task force to work with faculty and administrators who will review the process; The committees plan to recommend changes by May. Regents will vote at their July meeting.

UC Provost Kathryn Newman noted that UC took an average of 283 business days — more than a year — to resolve sexual violence and harassment complaints. Quicker action on faculty misconduct cases will require more investigators at a time when UC is facing budget constraints, he said.

“None of us are interested in fossil moral practices and processes,” Newman added. “This is an opportune time for us to look inward and evaluate what we can improve.”

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