Investigation flaws
The investigation into the Pam Gates-Dennis Lennox II incident wasn't much of an investigation at all.
The rather pathetic inquiry absolved Gates, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, of all wrongdoing.
This looked into the Oct. 15 incident when Lennox went into Gates' office to make a Freedom of Information Act request while videotaping the encounter. Gates swatted the camera away. Both filed complaints with the police, but no charges were filed.
This investigation had a number of faults.
First, there wasn't objectivity in any sort of way.
The investigation was led by Barbara Taylor, interim affirmative action officer. A university official is investigating a university official
So how exactly is Taylor supposed to take an objective look into a fellow colleague's actions? It is quite evident that this wasn't a fair investigation.
The university's excuse for this is the affirmative action office handles investigations such as this.
But doesn't the university have a department that handles such investigations? Did it really think this would pass by as an objective investigation?
The sad truth is no one is really surprised Gates got off scot-free in this case. The university wouldn't dare condemn one of its own deans.
But this was a case where it should have.
Gates doesn't deserve to be fired. But the university should have come out with some sort of statement that said both parties were at fault. Both individuals acted poorly.
Lennox didn't need to pull out a video camera. All Gates had to do was step back and tell Lennox to get out.
This sets a dangerous precedent that the university will always side with the administrator when he or she has a conflict with a student. The university is supposed to be there for students, and not always side with administrators.
After the incident, this editorial board came out and put blame on both parties. There is no reason why the university can't do the same.
Another fault in the investigation was Lennox wasn't interviewed. Lennox refused to cooperate because it wasn't an independent investigation.
Obviously, this isn't the university's fault. It has to work with what it has.
But who could really blame Lennox?
He knew the investigation would be slanted in Gates' favor, regardless of what he did or said. He knew this was a no-win situation.
Lennox even sent an e-mail to University President Michael Rao's office to ask for an independent investigation. Rao denied the request, saying Taylor could be objective.
Obviously, Lennox has been a thorn in the administration's side since the day he arrived on campus.
But that doesn't mean he shouldn't receive a fair and objective investigation.
All students deserve that. It's too bad the university doesn't realize it.
