CSU Chancellor welcomes investigation into allegations he mishandled sexual harassment case in Fresno State

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Photo courtesy of CSU

CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro

Photo courtesy of CSU

CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro

This story was updated at 5 p.m. Friday, February 4 to include new information from CSU Chancellor Joseph I. Castro.

California State University Chancellor Joseph I. Castro said he welcomes an independent investigation into allegations that he mishandled sexual harassment allegations while president of Fresno State University.

“While I followed CSU policy and took the necessary steps to ensure that this individual could never work on a CSU campus, I recognize that some aspects of the process should have been handled better – this is especially true of the harm caused by my communications to the community during this time,” Castro said Friday.

CSU Board Chair Lillian Kimbell said she plans to ask the board to support an independent investigation.

“I expect an independent investigation to not only help me grow as a leader, but also strengthen the work of the entire California state system,” Castro said.

Kimbell and Castro’s statements come just hours after state lawmakers called for an investigation into the allegations.

“I was very disturbed to read the article in USA Today regarding Fresno State University and CSU Chancellor Castro,” said Assemblyman Jose Medina, a Democrat from Riverside. “The California Legislature takes allegations and investigations of sexual misconduct very seriously and situations like this should be handled with the utmost care and consideration for survivors. I share the call for action of others and I formally call on the CSU Board of Trustees to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. It is imperative that we determine the accuracy of the allegations and ensure that our higher education leaders truly give priority to the safety of students, faculty and staff.

State Senator Connie Leyva, a Chino Democrat and chair of the Senate Education Committee, also called for an investigation.

A USA Today report claims Castro mishandled the allegations against Frank Lamas, the former Fresno State vice president of student affairs.

“If these allegations are proven to be true, then I would ask Chancellor Castro to immediately resign from his position as this would clearly call into question his ability to lead the California State University system and its thousands of employees,” said Leyva, in a statement.

Lawmakers’ calls for an investigation follow a statement of support for Castro from Kimbell who said she appreciated his “willingness to apologise” amid the allegations. “I appreciate the candor with which Chancellor Castor responded to the allegations and concerns raised in the recent USA Today article,” she said in a statement released Thursday. “Dr. Castro’s track record and deep support for Title IX is clear. As President of Fresno State, he acted in accordance with CSU policy in this matter and used the management tools at his disposal to make facing the situation.

According to the report, when Castro was president of Fresno State University, he received at least 12 complaints against Lamas over a six-year period. The complaints included allegations that Lamas stared at women’s breasts, touched them inappropriately, made sexist remarks and retaliated against employees.

The report alleges that Castro never formally disciplined Lamas and that he paid Lamas to leave the university after an investigation into an accusation that Lamas implied that he would help an employee to be promoted in exchange of sexual favours.

Castro released a statement on Thursday in which he said he took all allegations against Lamas seriously, but the university was unable to formally investigate any of them until a formal complaint was received. filed in 2019.

“The sad reality is that public universities face more complex termination procedures and significant civil liability by firing an employee without documented evidence,” Castro said in the statement. “Ultimately, there is no excuse for Dr. Lamas’ behavior, and I am sorry to those who experienced it. For any actions or words I have offered that have exacerbated the pain felt by survivors of his abuse, I am deeply sorry.

Kimbell said that in many cases, when it comes to addressing Title IX concerns, a settlement is the “safest way to ensure that we protect students and employees by ensuring that an employee separated will never be able to return to a CSU campus.”

Castor is launching a system-wide review of Title IX compliance and community awareness of Title IX rights and responsibilities, Kimbell said.

“I have also asked Chancellor Castro to consider developing guidelines on appropriate circumstances to provide recommendations to separated employees,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Chancellor Castro to address all of these challenges and strengthen the process for the future.”

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