The chancellor of California State University resigned amid criticism of mishandling sexual harassment allegations at one of the colleges in the university system.
California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro announced he would step down on Thursday after lawmakers and faculty alleged he mishandled sexual abuse allegations while working as president of Fresno State University, one of the schools within the university system.
“I have been honored to serve the California State University for more than eight years, including as its eighth chancellor, and the decision to resign is the most difficult of my professional life,” said Castro in a press release. “While I disagree with many aspects of recent media reports and the ensuing commentary, it has become clear to me that resigning at this time is necessary so that the CSU can maintain its focus squarely on its educational mission and the impactful work yet to be done.”
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Board of Trustee Chairwoman Lillian Kimbell said the university “appreciate[d] Chancellor Castro’s cooperation with the Trustees and his decision to step down for the benefit of California State University system.”
The board also stated its intent to “strengthen institutional culture” in an attempt to improve Cal State’s approach to Title IX accountability.
Support for Castro had been eroding since one newspaper’s investigation charged him with mishandling sexual abuse allegations against a faculty member at California State University, Fresno. State Sen. Connie Levya called for an “immediate and thorough investigation,” and California Assemblyman Jim Patterson called for a state audit to examine Title IX protocols within the university.
The Academic Senate at Fresno State drafted a declaration of no confidence in Castro on Thursday, stating that the former college president was aware of the accusations and that these actions were hidden during Castro’s eventual hiring as chancellor in 2020.
A Feb. 3 investigation by USA Today called into question Castro’s handling of allegations against Fresno State’s former Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Frank Lamas. Although Lamas was abusive in the workplace and engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct toward other employees, Castro, who was campus president at the time, never disciplined him, instead praising him in performance reviews and regularly approving pay raises, the report concluded.
Lamas, who said the allegations against him “lack legitimacy and are false,” retired at the end of 2020 after accepting a $260,000 offer and letter of recommendation from Castro, according to FOX26 News.
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Castro apologized in an open letter to students and faculty, but his statement did not stop lawmakers and students from criticizing his actions.
The Board of Trustees says it is working on replacing Castro. Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Steve Relyea will serve as acting chancellor in the interim.
