In late 2003, Barrows, then-vice chancellor for student affairs and the university’s main diversity officer, was accused by then-dean of students Luoluo Hong in a memo of sexually harassing women. Barrows received a letter of reprimand, was demoted and his pay was cut by roughly 62 percent.
None of the women has ever filed a formal harassment complaint. The appeals committee said Barrows’ admitted relationship with a 40-year-old graduate student did not constitute sexual harassment. An Academic Staff Appeals Committee found in April 2006 that there was not enough evidence to officially reprimand Barrows for sexual harassment of any of the women.
Farrell agreed to accept the committee’s recommendation and remove the letter of reprimand, but he replaced it with a letter of council, which stated that Barrows’ behavior was “unacceptable and can’t be tolerated.”
Barrows says the spirit of the letter was just as insulting as the reprimand, and branded him as guilty.
— By Christina Asquith
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
