MADISON — The Personnel Matters Review Committee of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, concerning the possible dismissal of a UW-Superior faculty member, today recommended that “while the charges were advanced with probable cause, the record . . does not support a dismissal for cause.”
The faculty member, John Marder, is a tenured, associate professor in the Department of Communicating Arts. His dismissal from the faculty was recommended by Chancellor Julius Erlenbach in May 1999 and forwarded to the Regents by President Katharine Lyall. Erlenbach’s recommendation followed a determination by the campus Committee on Faculty Terminations that charges brought against Marder did not constitute just cause for dismissal.
Erlenbach based his dismissal recommendation on a number of charges, including allegations of a pattern of unprofessional behavior regarding students, failing to meet effective teaching obligations, abusing fiduciary responsibilities, demonstrating uncollegial behavior toward colleagues, and disseminating confidential and misleading information.
The Personnel Matters Review Committee, meeting in open session, heard brief oral arguments this morning from legal counsel for the two sides in the case. This was followed by discussion involving the chair, Regent Jonathan Barry, and the two other members present: Regent Patrick Boyle and Regent JoAnne Brandes.
The Committee then unanimously adopted a resolution, directing that the case be “discontinued without prejudice” but noting that “such discontinuation does not preclude . . any new disciplinary proceeding which may be precipitated by future wrongful conduct.”
The resolution now goes to the full Board of Regents for final action.