Christopher Romanek
Status:
Resolved
Institution:
University of Kentucky
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Assistant Professor
Discipline:
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Specific Discipline:
Geoscience
Outcome Year:
2013
Outcome Category:
Resigned
Quote:
"Romanek, a NASA-funded earth science professor who now teaches at Furman University, was investigated in 2013 by the Office of Institutional Equity, which looks into all charges of harassment and intimidation. According to a heavily redacted letter released by UK, Romanek had some type of relationship with a student. This is not prohibited under UK policy, but it’s discouraged. However, relationships are supposed to be disclosed so a professor does not oversee the work of a student with whom they are involved.
“When he was questioned about the behavior that finally prompted the student to seek help from our office, Dr. Romanek then stated that he just wanted to advise her in a way that was best for her professional career,” the letter says. “Dr. Romanek was clearly in violation of university policy. What is without question is that at no time did he arrange for her to actually be transitioned to another adviser without his ongoing supervision.”
The letter also said that he treated the student “in a manner increasingly negative and different than others after she refused a relationship and it was clear that she would not reconsider.”
Romanek was suspended from campus and from contact with the student, due to the seriousness of the matter, the letter says.
Romanek’s attorney, Steve Amato of Lexington, said Romanek did arrange another adviser, and Amato denied any other inappropriate behavior.
“He was looking for a better professor job anyway, was in the process of being recruited elsewhere and elected at the end of the day not to pursue his defense of this through the full institutional appeal process and simply moved on and voluntarily resigned,” Amato said.
Romanek received two months salary and a $25,000 lump-sum payment as part of his settlement agreement. Also in the agreement, UK said that a copy of the investigative letter would be kept in the Office of Legal Counsel, but a copy would not appear in any of Romanek’s personnel files, and that “any official letter of recommendation from the university will give dates of employment, title/position, rate of pay, and reason for termination, e.g., resignation for personal reasons.”"
“When he was questioned about the behavior that finally prompted the student to seek help from our office, Dr. Romanek then stated that he just wanted to advise her in a way that was best for her professional career,” the letter says. “Dr. Romanek was clearly in violation of university policy. What is without question is that at no time did he arrange for her to actually be transitioned to another adviser without his ongoing supervision.”
The letter also said that he treated the student “in a manner increasingly negative and different than others after she refused a relationship and it was clear that she would not reconsider.”
Romanek was suspended from campus and from contact with the student, due to the seriousness of the matter, the letter says.
Romanek’s attorney, Steve Amato of Lexington, said Romanek did arrange another adviser, and Amato denied any other inappropriate behavior.
“He was looking for a better professor job anyway, was in the process of being recruited elsewhere and elected at the end of the day not to pursue his defense of this through the full institutional appeal process and simply moved on and voluntarily resigned,” Amato said.
Romanek received two months salary and a $25,000 lump-sum payment as part of his settlement agreement. Also in the agreement, UK said that a copy of the investigative letter would be kept in the Office of Legal Counsel, but a copy would not appear in any of Romanek’s personnel files, and that “any official letter of recommendation from the university will give dates of employment, title/position, rate of pay, and reason for termination, e.g., resignation for personal reasons.”"
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