A day after a letter detailing the reassignment of Politics Prof. James R. Sofka from his position as director of the Echols program became public, Sofka yesterday responded to College Dean Edward L. Ayers, the author of the original letter (For the complete text of letter, click here, protesting the means by which he was removed. Ayers' letter, which was obtained by The Cavalier Daily, specifically charges Sofka with "inappropriate behavior with female Echols scholars." Sofka has publicly denied any misconduct and has said he was not given specific information regarding the allegations.
In a letter dated yesterday addressed to Ayers, a copy of which was also obtained by the newspaper, Sofka specifically requests that Ayers "submit [his] arguments to proper adjudicatory authority for review and offer me the basic decency of due process and the ability to present evidence in my defense."
Ayers did not return requests for statement yesterday, and has previously stated that all normal procedures were followed in the matter and that he is unable to comment on personnel issues.
Sofka was replaced as Echols dean by Associate Dean and Anthropology Prof. Richard Handler, and was returned to full-time teaching. His pay and benefits were not affected.
Sofka's letter, which was carbon copied to Handler, University Provost Gene Block and Karen Ryan, associate dean for the arts, humanities and social sciences, does acknowledge one complaint against him in the past, but notes that the charges were dropped.
"As you know, one student did voice concerns years ago, but the nature of the case was highly controversial and [the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs] concluded that it did not merit formal investigation," he wrote.
In a separate written statement Sofka provided to the newspaper two days ago, which he describes as an "Open Letter to the University Community," Sofka defends his behavior and says he was given no prior warning of such accusations before the Jan. 14, 2005 letter. [Click here for complete text of Sofka's written statement.]
Contacted yesterday, University President John T. Casteen, III, declined to comment based on the fact that complaint procedures can in some cases be appealed to the University president.
Both Leonard Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Block declined to comment on the handling of the case as well, citing the confidentiality of personnel matters.
In his letter to Ayers, which contains many of the same points addressed in his public statement, Sofka says the "precedent established by removing someone from a post based upon unsubstantiated and rumored allegations is nothing less than chilling." He goes on to say that "this matter could effectively destroy my career because of the severity and speed of your action and the 'whispering' it would engender."
Politics Prof. Michael J. Smith, who previously served as the chair of the Faculty Senate and helped develop the grievance policy for academic faculty, said yesterday that he was surprised at the manner in which Sofka's removal was conducted.
"All indications were that Jim's work in the Echols Program was outstanding," Smith said. "I was surprised to learn that apparently he was relieved of this position without the opportunity to address the specifics of the allegations against him."
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