OAA Faculty Misconduct Check

All candidates selected to participate in on-campus interviews for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form. A signed disclosure allows current and/or prior employer(s) to share information with the university regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment.

If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment. 

Process

1. Faculty Misconduct Authorization and Disclosure Form — Each unit must initiate a Faculty Misconduct Authorization and Disclosure Form for any position that carries tenure (tenured associate professors and professors — including chairs, deans and executive-level positions). All candidates selected for on-campus interviews must complete an authorization and disclosure form before participating in the on-campus interview. This form permits current and former employer(s) of each candidate to share information with The Ohio State University about final findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against the applicant and/or any pending investigations.
2. Faculty Misconduct Check — The authorization and disclosure form will be kept on file in the Office of Academic Affairs. The unit will then share the name of the finalist with the vice provost for academic policy and faculty resources, who will contact the candidate’s current and past employer(s).
   • If the employer provides Ohio State information indicating no findings, disciplinary proceedings or pending investigations, the vice provost for academic policy and faculty resources will inform the dean.
   • If the employer provides Ohio State information indicating that there are findings, disciplinary proceedings or pending investigations; or insufficient information has been disclosed providing an incomplete record of applicant’s history, the university will review and evaluate the information and make a decision about next steps.

In addition to the process outlined above, language must be included in each letter of offer indicating the responsibility of the candidate to disclose any previous findings and/or pending investigations. Candidates must be made aware and acknowledge that failure to disclose such findings or pending investigations could lead to immediate termination.