On Nov. 21, Dr. Kenneth M. Marsh, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty (APSCUF), called for Commonwealth University President Dr. Bashar Hanna to immediately step down or be fired.

The press release cited Hanna’s part in a verdict in a wrongful termination lawsuit as well as “budget woes, declining enrollment, hiring issues, major technical failures, various leadership crises, and sinking morale,” for his removal. 

Dr. Marsh states, “I cannot find anyone who can explain to me how it makes sense that someone who has been liable for wrongful termination of a mandated reporter could remain the university’s final arbiter in sexual-harassment cases and other disciplinary cases.” 

Hanna was one of four parties found liable for the wrongful termination of a former dean who claimed he lost his position for helping Hanna’s administrative assistant file a sexual harassment report against him. The $3.9 million verdict was footed by university reserves.  

“The Board of Governors of the State System, the interim chancellor, and the Commonwealth trustees need to finally do the right thing — and do so immediately. If not, State APSCUF will support faculty votes of no confidence in the Commonwealth president as a starting point. Somebody just needs to do the right thing.”