Crystal Luong
Assistant News Editor
Dr. Ronald Fagan, tenured professor of sociology, was noticeably absent from the classroom when this semester began, leaving questions unanswered about his reason for absence and his future with the University.
Three courses, for which Fagan was scheduled for have others teaching in his stead: Criminology; juvenile delinquency; and first-year seminar: secrets to success in college, career and vocation, are respectively being taught by professors Leonard Goodman and Ralph Rogers, and Intercultural Programs Coordinator Larisa Hamada.
Goodman and Rogers are adjunct faculty who are contracted to teach those courses for fall semester, according to Dr. Chris Soper, chair of the Social Science Division.
Students who have taken Fagan’s criminology course during past semesters are surprised he has not returned to the classroom.
“The course is one of the best that Dr. Fagan teaches,” said senior Catie Royal, a sociology major. “It was challenging because you’re completely independent.”
Senior Matt Schmidt shares Royal’s sentiments.
“I loved the class. I felt that Fagan knew what he was talking about,” Schmidt said.
Senior Josh Dover, who took criminology in the spring, said Fagan related well to his students.
“He was like a trusty old grandpa,” Dover said.
Royal said she hopes Fagan will get the opportunity to teach again.
“I think you can learn a lot from him based on his teaching style,” she said.
Fagan, who still is employed by the University, began his career at Pepperdine in 1978.
As a tenured faculty member, he has the right to continue to be employed by the University unless there is “adequate cause” for termination of tenure, according to the Tenure Policy Statement of Pepperdine.
The policy states that cause “must be related, directly and substantially, to the fitness of the faculty member … to a situation of serious neglect of duty, incompetence, gross misconduct, moral turpitude, or to a clear demonstration of a consistent pattern of disregard for the policies, the Christian values or the mission of the University.”
Fagan has declined to speak until administrative hearings regarding his situation are complete in October.
Dr. Rick Marrs, associate dean of Seaver college, and Soper also refused to comment on Fagan’s absence from the classroom.
“We never comment publicly on personnel matters,” Marrs said.
Submitted 09-23-2004