An investigation by the University of California's general counsel found that the system's former second-in-command, M.R.C. Greenwood, had violated conflict of interest rules in a hiring decision involving an administrator with whom she owned real estate, according to a report released Wednesday.
Nevertheless, the university announced that Greenwood will take a 15-month leave with an annual salary of $301,840 before starting a new, lower-paid faculty position at UC Davis. Greenwood, who resigned her provost position last month amid the investigation, will also receive a $100,000 research grant to assist "her transition to academia," according to an agreement released Wednesday. Then she will take a tenured UC Davis professorship paying $163,800 annually.
The probe looked at Greenwood's role in the promotion of her fellow real estate investor, Lynda Goff, who had been a professor at UC Santa Cruz, where Greenwood had been chancellor until 2004. Goff became an administrator in the systemwide academic affairs office and then director of the science and math initiative.
"Given their business relationship, Dr. Greenwood should not have participated in any way in decisions respecting Dr. Goff's employment," the report stated.
Another investigation looked into the creation of a job for Greenwood's son at UC Merced, finding no violation of rules but poor judgment that created the appearance of favoritism.
The reports were released amid concern by faculty over potentially excessive pay and perks for UC administrators. UC professors last month signed a petition calling for an audit of such practices, and the UC Regents this week announced steps to examine them, including the formation of a task force to study the issues.
UC Berkeley education professor Bruce Fuller called Greenwood's plight a "tragic tale," since she had been a well-regarded administrator. But the terms of Greenwood's pay package are likely to aggravate many professors who increasingly feel their research funding is inadequate. "What kind of distorted message does that send to UC faculty: Endeavor to violate hiring practices and the president's office will give you a hefty research grant?" Fuller said.
UC President Robert C. Dynes declined to speak to reporters about Greenwood. An e-mail from his office said he "accepted the findings."
