Academic Council Hears About Reference Checks in Faculty Hiring

Duke University will soon start working on developing a faculty hiring policy to ensure that the reference check process includes disclosures from candidates of any prior or on-going investigations and findings of harassment, including sexual harassment, and other forms of misconduct university administrators told the Academic Council last week.

Universities across the country are reviewing their policies as concerns about “passing the harasser.” The moment is “long overdue,” said Abbas Benmamoun, vice provost for faculty advancement.

“We have a practice of disclosing information to institutions that request information about misconduct” if those institutions obtain a signed release from the candidate specifying what information can be released, Benmamoun said.  In addition, he added that in some situations Duke is required to disclose outcomes of investigations to federal agencies, including certain agencies that fund research.

Benmamoun added that his office works with Duke departments to ensure they ask questions during their interviews of candidates about their experience and commitment to fostering a healthy and welcoming research, teaching and work environment. Duke also has a policy of completing investigations even if the person leaves Duke, said President Vincent Price.  That means if a university does request information and the candidate consents to disclosure, Duke will have an outcome report available to provide.

In other action before the council, Sanford School of Public Policy leaders presented a proposal for a new Executive Masters of Public Affairs degree. The target audience is for rising stars in state agencies or leaders of non-profit organizations who would benefit from hybrid learning in public policy while continuing to work.

In proposing the degree, school officials noted that it would advance the school’s mission to assist mid-career policymakers who need to upgrade or expand their skills.  Ranked among the top public policy schools, Sanford is the only elite policy schools not to offer a hybrid executive education program, said Professor Asher Hilderbrand.

The council also approved raising the Margolis Center for Health Policy to institute status. The recommendation now goes to the Board of Trustees for approval.

In executive session, the council discussed Duke Kunshan University and the Faculty Handbook policy on consensual and romantic relations between faculty members and students.