UCF: Adams to keep his job
Professor on paid leave until summer
Natalie Morera
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
A UCF professor who was facing disciplinary action for sexually explicit material found on his computer and sexual harassment charges brought forth by two co-workers will keep his job.
Kenneth Adams, a professor in the public affairs doctoral program, must attend anger management courses, along with other restrictions.
Adams has been on paid administrative leave since Nov. 20 and will continue to be until the end of the spring 2008 term.
In a letter from Lin Huff-Corzine, assistant vice president of faculty relations, it was determined that he was verbally and physically intimidating to public affairs staff members and created an overall offensive work environment. It was also found that he misused UCF property, which includes his school-issued laptop, computer and a department digital camera, which had personal photos.
The letter detailed seven actions that would be taken against Adams in response to the investigation's findings.
According to the letter dated March 10, Adams' computer will be randomly monitored and if "inappropriate or pornographic materials appear in or on that computer, disciplinary action will be taken up to and including possible termination of your employment at UCF."
Any actions that may be viewed as intimidation of any student, staff or faculty member, including "a grievant or witness in this matter, will result in disciplinary action," which involves the possibility of termination, the letter states.
Adams may not accept "direct or indirect" supervisory responsibilities of any "undergraduate student assistant, graduate student assistant, graduate research assistant, staff member or other faculty member."
This investigation will be placed in Adams' evaluation file. The letter also stated that his office will be moved to Health and Public Affairs I and prohibits Adams from removing UCF equipment from the campus.
Adams also "obstructed the investigation process by deleting video files from a university-owned laptop computer" in his possession the day before the laptop was to be returned to the college, according to the letter. Some of the files were images with sexual references.
Adams was also instructed to have "no contact or communication with any UCF student, faculty or staff member." Huff-Corzine and Associate Dean Melvin Rogers were the only contacts offered to Adams with the acceptable mediums being but not limited to "face-to-face interaction, telephone conversations or e-mail." This was explained to Adams in the letter notifying him of paid administrative leave.
The two grievants listed in the investigation worked in the same office as Adams. Adams had called the office, which was prohibited, but he said it was an accidental dial.
A separate letter, sent to Adams by Interim Dean of the College of Health and Public Affairs Joyce Dorner, informed Adams of his requirement "to enter into, and complete, anger management counseling.
The counseling is offered by the Employee Assistance Program at no cost to Adams. He is required to show proof of initiating anger management counseling to Rogers prior to his return to the university.
Kenneth Adams, a professor in the public affairs doctoral program, must attend anger management courses, along with other restrictions.
Adams has been on paid administrative leave since Nov. 20 and will continue to be until the end of the spring 2008 term.
In a letter from Lin Huff-Corzine, assistant vice president of faculty relations, it was determined that he was verbally and physically intimidating to public affairs staff members and created an overall offensive work environment. It was also found that he misused UCF property, which includes his school-issued laptop, computer and a department digital camera, which had personal photos.
The letter detailed seven actions that would be taken against Adams in response to the investigation's findings.
According to the letter dated March 10, Adams' computer will be randomly monitored and if "inappropriate or pornographic materials appear in or on that computer, disciplinary action will be taken up to and including possible termination of your employment at UCF."
Any actions that may be viewed as intimidation of any student, staff or faculty member, including "a grievant or witness in this matter, will result in disciplinary action," which involves the possibility of termination, the letter states.
Adams may not accept "direct or indirect" supervisory responsibilities of any "undergraduate student assistant, graduate student assistant, graduate research assistant, staff member or other faculty member."
This investigation will be placed in Adams' evaluation file. The letter also stated that his office will be moved to Health and Public Affairs I and prohibits Adams from removing UCF equipment from the campus.
Adams also "obstructed the investigation process by deleting video files from a university-owned laptop computer" in his possession the day before the laptop was to be returned to the college, according to the letter. Some of the files were images with sexual references.
Adams was also instructed to have "no contact or communication with any UCF student, faculty or staff member." Huff-Corzine and Associate Dean Melvin Rogers were the only contacts offered to Adams with the acceptable mediums being but not limited to "face-to-face interaction, telephone conversations or e-mail." This was explained to Adams in the letter notifying him of paid administrative leave.
The two grievants listed in the investigation worked in the same office as Adams. Adams had called the office, which was prohibited, but he said it was an accidental dial.
A separate letter, sent to Adams by Interim Dean of the College of Health and Public Affairs Joyce Dorner, informed Adams of his requirement "to enter into, and complete, anger management counseling.
The counseling is offered by the Employee Assistance Program at no cost to Adams. He is required to show proof of initiating anger management counseling to Rogers prior to his return to the university.