Court Of Appeal Instructs Arbitrator To Terminate Faculty Member’s Employment

In a case involving a college sociology professor charged with harassing students on the basis of their gender and LGBTQ status and for interfering with an investigation directive by contacting a student witness, the Court of Appeal issued a 2-1 unpublished decision in the community college district’s favor. The Court of Appeal reversed the trial court and ordered that it issue a writ instructing the arbitrator to terminate the faculty member’s employment.  The decision emphasized that the unfit faculty member should not be reinstated and that his lack of remorse further confirmed dismissal as the appropriate remedy.  The majority opinion also recognized the harm the faculty member’s conduct had on students. LCW handled the disciplinary appeal arbitration, Petition for Writ of Mandate in the trial court, and the appeal in the Court of Appeal.