Investigation repudiates allegations

A thorough monthlong investigation by KU’s chief academic officer has found no validity to allegations against Professor Dennis Dailey by State Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, regarding his teaching of a human sexuality course.

In his report to Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor David Shulenburger wrote, “I find that Prof. Dailey’s materials and his teaching methods are not obscene” and “that Sen. Wagle’s complaint does not have merit.” He added, “On the basis of the evidence provided to me, I did not find occurrences of sexual harassment.”

Shulenburger was charged with investigating nine allegations filed April 6 by Wagle under a Kansas Board of Regents policy on external complaints. Wagle said her charges arose from comments to her from a KU student, later revealed to be her intern.

For his report, Shulenburger reviewed class documents, Dailey’s qualifications, Dailey’s response to the allegations, testimonials from students and alumni, and Dailey’s teaching evaluations for the past five years. The provost conducted an interview with Wagle’s student intern and reviewed the textbook and audiovisual materials used in the class.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius vetoed an initial Wagle-sponsored amendment that could have eliminated $3.1 million in state funding from the School of Social Welfare budget. The governor approved a subsequent Wagle amendment that directs regents universities to adopt certain policies related to the teaching of classes on human sexuality.

To view Shulenburger’s report, visit www.ur.ku.edu/News/sw303
/report.html.