NOTE TO EDITORS: Following is the full text of UNLV President Carol C. Harter's statement to the UCCSN Board of Regents at the board's regular meeting in Reno on Thursday, June 18.
I cannot begin this statement without first emphasizing my personal and professional commitment to equity and diversity in every aspect of university life. Indeed, I have a real passion for work that can lead us to achieve the goal articulated in the university's strategic plan to create a just and inclusive campus environment. This commitment has been a central feature of my work at Ohio University, State University of New York at Geneseo, and now at UNLV, as I believe the record amply demonstrates.
Because I feel so strongly about these issues, the past several weeks have been extremely trying for me as well as for many members of the UNLV community as we have struggled with rumors and allegations of racial and homophobic use of language leveled against Athletics Director Charles Cavagnaro.
I have never condoned and will never condone racist, sexist, or homophobic behavior by any employee or student of UNLV. We have made too many strides forward to permit the positive efforts of our students and faculty to be eroded by any member of the university community. By the same token, I will not terminate any employee or expel a student of UNLV without unequivocally clear evidence that egregious offenses have in fact occurred. Public employees and university students have rights to privacy, to fair and impartial hearings, and to have the opportunity to respond to charges raised against them.
Having said all this, the following assumptions were factored into my decision about the Cavagnaro matter: (1) that the Office of the Chancellor conducted an exhaustive and independent inquiry in a fair and impartial manner; (2) that all who participated were forthright with Kwasi Nyamekye, UCCSN legal counsel, and did not withhold crucial information; (3) that I was fully briefed as to the findings of the inquiry; and (4) that the details of any disciplinary actions would remain confidential in accordance with state law regarding personnel matters. Not factored into my decision were opinion polls or the assertions of journalists, commentators, or others who claim to have received information contradictory to that reported to me.
Charles Cavagnaro was not exonerated. I placed a letter of reprimand in his personnel file, and he made a public apology for comments that may have inadvertently offended some people. I sincerely believe these were responsible and appropriate actions based on the information provided to me by the Office of the General Counsel.
In closing, I know that there are some in our community who will never be satisfied with the inquiry or my responses. While I am sensitive to this reality, I will not be deterred in doing what I believe is just and equitable. I am committed to moving UNLV forward to achieving its rightly deserved distinction of becoming a "premier urban university," a university of civility, inclusiveness, and--above all--fairness to all.
Carol C. Harter
July 18, 1998
