OHIO

UNIVERSITY

Office of the Executive
Vice President and Provost

 

February 23, 2017

Cutler Hall
Athens OH 45701-2979

T. 740.593.2500 lnterim President David Descutner
F: 740.593.9591 ()th University
Athens, Ohio 45701

Dear Interim President Descutner:

I am writing to inform you of the matter ofAndrew Escobedo, Professor of
English. Dr. Escobedo was accused of sexual misconduct against six
individuals. Ohio University's Office of Equity and Civil Rights
Compliance/Title IX (ECRC) investigated the allegations and issued a
comprehensive Memorandum ofFindings on December 15, 2016. Allegations
were substantiated by the evidence as to four complaints and
unsubstantiated as to two complaints.

Pursuant to the Faculty Handbook, 1 have reviewed and carefully considered
the entire record and have discussed the matter with Dean Robert Frank and
General Counsel. 1 am informed that the faculty ofthe Department of English
met to consider the Memorandum of Findings, a letter from Dr. Escobedo,
and a letter from graduate students in the department. A strong majority of
the department faculty agreed that, given the egregiousness of Dr.
Escobedo?s misconduct, he must face serious sanctions. Further, a majority of
department faculty agreed that serious sanctions should include the possible
consequence ofdetenuring and dismissal. have spoken with Professor
Escobedo, as required by the Faculty Handbook. 1 have reached the
conclusion that the matter must be referred to you for consideration of
initiation of detenuring procedures.

It has been suggested by a minority of faculty that the College should first
initiate an ethics proceeding under Faculty Handbook section and if
an ethics violation is found, then initiate a detenuring proceeding under
Faculty Handbook section II (D) reject this course. The potential
outcomes from an ethics proceeding are limited to a finding ofNot Guilty,
Reprimand, Censure, Reassignment of Duties for a period oftime, and
Financial Penalty [fine] not to exceed 10% ofthe academic year?s salary.
Given the seriousness of these allegations and the outcome ofthe
investigation by ECRC, a full range ofsanctions is necessary for consideration
in this process, up to and including detenuring and dismissal. The process for

adjudication set forth in Section (D) under the Faculty Handbook
contains due process safeguards for respondent Dr. Escobedo and
complainants.

Dean Frank has accepted the vote of the faculty and recommended to me that
we move forward with the process described in the Faculty Handbook
Section II (D) I find that Dr. Escobedo?s conduct violates the most basic
relationship between faculty and student and erodes the foundation of trust
upon which the academy depends. Therefore, I strongly concur with the
prior recommendations and present this matter for your consideration.

Sincerely,



Pam Benoit
Executive Vice President and Provost

Cc: Dean Robert Frank, College ofArts and Sciences
Dr. Andrew Escobedo, Department of English
John Biancamano, General Counsel
Sara Trower, Title IX Coordinator and Executive Director of the Office
of University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance