Widener University

August 1, 20 11
James T. Harris, III, D. Ed.
President and Professor of Educati0:1
Widener University
One University Place
Chester, P J\ 19013
Dear President Harris:

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In accordance with Section 7(a) of the Faculty Member Discrimination and Harassment
Code ("Code"), I am forwarding my recommendation for disciplinary measures to be
imposed upon Professor Lawrence Connell. My recommendation follows the Report of
the Formal Hearing Committee dated July 20, 2011 , attached hereto as Exhibit '' A''
which concludes that "[t]here is clear and convincing evidence that Professor Connell has
violated the Code pertaining to retaliation." J accept the conclusions ofthc Committee
and appreciate the effort of the Committee members and service to the Law School
community in fulfilling the purposes and procedures set forth in the University's
Discrimination and Harassment Code.
Since the commencement of the discnmination and harassment complaint against
Professor Connell by the two students involved, Professor Connell has also ( I ) refused to
participate in the informal resolution process contained in the Code; (2) repeatedly
violated the confidentiality provisions expressly set forth in the Code in Section 5( f) and
the publicity prohibition in Section 6(d) (see Exhibit "B' ' attached hereto); and. (3) in
retaliation for the institution of the complaint against him. threatened, and ultimately
instituted, litigation against the complaining students. In addition to the Committee' s
finding that Professor Connell has violated the Code, each of the above related actions by
Professor Connell constitutes a breach of his employment contract.
As a result, it is my recommendation that Professor Connell be suspended, without pay.
effective as of August l , 2011, for a period of one year; provided, however, that
Professor Connell's suspension shall continue indefinitely until Professor Connell has
complied with the conditions set forth below. For the benefit of the complaining students
against whom Professor Connell retaliated, it is also my recommendation that Professor
Connell be banned from campus at least through the graduation of one of the complaining
students in 2012. Efforts will be rnadP to minimize any contact between Professor
Connell and the other comp!airlaJJt v. . iO is an extended division student and is scheduled
to graduate in 2013. Finally, it ic; rny recommendation that Professor Connell' s
suspension, without pay, continue to be in force until such time as Professor Cormcll
meets the following conditions:
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1. Professor Connell will acknowledge, in writing, his violation of the
Discrimination and I Iarassment Code and will agree to comply fully with his contractual
obligations and all policies of Widener University and Widener University School of Law
in the future. Professor Connell's acknowledgement shall be placed in his personnel file.
2. Professor C01mell will undergo a psychological evaluation by a psychiatrist or
psychologist of his choice selected from a list offour individuals provided to him by the
University. The purpose of this evaluation will be to determine his fitness for his
teaching position, particularly in view of his retaliatory response to the student
complaints lodged against him. The psychiatrist/psychologist will be advised of the
reasons why the evaluation is to be conducted. Once the psychiatrist/psychologist is
selected by Professor Connell, Professor Connell will instruct that individual to contact
Vice Dean Kelly directly so that he/she may be advised of the reasons for the conduct of
the evaluation. Professor Connell will comply with all conditions and recommendations
issued by the psychiatrist/psycho!0gist, including, without limitation, appropriate
counseling and anger management, prior to the lifting of the suspension and his return to
teaching duties. Not earlier than sixty (60) days prior to the end of the term of Professor
Connell 's one year suspension, his psychiatrist/psychologist must send to the Dean and
Vice Dean an evaluation assessing Professor Connell's fitness to return to duties,
completion of courses or training, if applicable, and a follow-up treatment plan. if any.
3. Professor Connell must issue a written apology to the students against whom
he has been found to have retaliated. The fonn and content of that apology must be
provided to the Dean of the Law School for approval and will be distributed to the
affected students by the Dean's office.
In accordance with my obligation under the Code to notify Professor Connell of my
recommendation of disciplinary measures to be imposed upon him as a result of his
violation of the Code, a copy of my recommendation is being contemporaneously
provided to Professor Connell.
Sincerely,
LLA:lrt
Attachments
cc: Professor Lawrence Connell ./
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