Purdue News

April 2, 1999 Purdue trustees delay termination of professor WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A Purdue University professor accused of forcing his attentions on a female undergraduate was granted a six-week reprieve on his job today (Friday, 4/2), but he still faces termination in May. Dong X. Shaw, a non-tenured assistant professor, appealed his firing to the Purdue Board of Trustees, which today decided that Shaw can stay until his contract expires May 16. The university earlier had notified him that his contract would not be renewed regardless of the outcome of the censure and dismissal process. The Purdue Censure and Dismissal Hearing Committee, consisting of 12 faculty members, in December found Shaw guilty of improper conduct injurious to the welfare of the university in connection with the case. President Steven C. Beering concurred and ruled that the termination should occur immediately. Shaw, an assistant professor of industrial engineering, appealed to the trustees. Following today's action by the trustees, Beering said: "The trustees determined that the evidence presented to the hearing committee does not justify Professor Shaw's immediate termination for cause. In light of their decision, I will propose that the faculty committee take no further action, since Professor Shaw's contract expires in May and will not be renewed." When felony charges against Shaw were filed in October 1996, he was removed from the classroom and reassigned to duties that did not bring him into regular contact with undergraduate students. He will continue to serve in that capacity until his contract expires. The committee report stated that Shaw's "pursuit of an unreciprocated relationship caused the student emotional distress" ... and "significantly diminished her educational experience" over a two-year period. In the criminal case, a jury earlier this fall acquitted Shaw of two felony counts of stalking the same student. Beering noted, however, that the criminal proceedings have no bearing on the university's action. In addition, he said, "What is improper and injurious to the university may not be criminal, but it is still wrong." Source: Steven C. Beering, (765) 494-9708 Writer: Jeanne V. Norberg, (765) 494-2084; e-mail, jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page