Former California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro announced his resignation Thursday after allegations surfaced that he mishandled claims of sexual harassment, retaliation and bullying during his term as Fresno State University President.
Less than two years after assuming his role as chancellor on Sept. 23, 2020, Castro resigned so the CSU could continue its focus on the system’s “educational mission,” according to the CSU Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
“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,” Castro said in a Thursday CSU Board of Trustees news release.
The USA Today’s six-month investigation, published on Feb. 3, found that Castro failed to discipline Frank Lamas, CSU Fresno vice president of student affairs and enrollment management from May 2014-December 2020, who was accused of sexual harassment, according to a Feb. 17, 2022 USA Today article.
The USA Today investigation revealed that Castro chose to settle the allegations by authorizing a $260,000 payment from the university to Lamas, in exchange for his retirement.
Castro, who was named chancellor by the CSU board three weeks after the settlement, wrote Lamas a letter of recommendation to find work elsewhere, according to the same USA article.
Two days after the investigation was published, Fresno State students protested on campus, calling for Castro to resign.
Faculty and staff members at CSU Long Beach also called for Castro’s resignation, with more than 200 members signing a petition published on Feb. 6.
“Our Chancellor’s behavior speaks clearly to faculty, staff, and students - Castro does not care about sexual harassment, gender discrimination, or the safety and well-being of those of us who are most likely to be the targets of predators like Lamas,” petitioners stated.
Castro said he disagrees with “many aspects of recent media reports and the ensuing commentary,” but “resigning at this time is necessary,” according to the Thursday news release.
The CSU Board of Trustees also announced an external assessment of the system’s Title IX implementation, according to the same news release.
SJSU Interim President Steve Perez said in a Monday campuswide email regarding Castro’s resignation that he “applauded” the board’s decision to assess Title IX systemically.
The California Faculty Association (CFA), a union comprised of CSU lecturers, professors, librarians, counselors and coaches, said Castro’s resignation amid alleged sexual harassment mishandlings and the Title IX assessment were not enough in a Friday news release.
“Systemic change can only be reached when an open and public investigation by the California legislature is conducted”, the association also stated in the news release.
Jonathan Karpf, SJSU emeritus anthropology lecturer and retired SJSU CFA chapter member, said while Castro was the “best” chancellor the system had in the last 25 years, the SJSU CFA chapter agreed with the statewide CFA position.
“I believe he resigned to avoid an investigation that would have established his culpability,” Karpf said in a text message. “I agree with his decision to resign, despite being sorry to see him go.”
Karpf referenced how Castro’s resignation was similar to the resignation of former SJSU President Mary Papazian and athletic director Marie Tuite, which he said might change the CSU’s Title IX approach.
“Given that Title IX has now reached to the pinnacle of CSU management, I believe that this will indeed refocus CSU practices regarding Title IX,” Karpf said.
Perez said he’s dedicated to creating an SJSU environment where members feel safe, which he said the university has “fallen short” of doing in the past.
The U.S. Justice Department found that SJSU failed for more than a decade to sufficiently respond to claims of sexual harassment and retaliation within the athletics department, according to a Sept. 21, 2021 news release.
“We've learned from our interactions with the Department of Justice and will learn more from a forthcoming report regarding the Title IX process being supervised by the Chancellor’s Office,” Perez said. “We look forward to making further improvements as we continue to grow as an institution.”
SJSU Associated Students President Anoop Kaur said accountability, action and transparency is critical to rebuilding trust.
“I hope a systemwide Title IX assessment will lead to justice for survivors and transformative changes that help the community feel comfortable about accessing Title IX resources,” she said in a text message.
