Society
for a Return to Academic Standards
Based upon documents released by Dhiraj Pradhan, a COE Endowed Chair Professor in the TAMU Department of Computer Science, the Board of Regents’ System Auditors raided all of his computers and those of his students and staff, copying all electronic files. Professor Pradhan has an unique chair arrangement in that it had/has no review. Pradhan, a Faculty Senator, had been outspoken during the post-tenure review debate on the TAMU campus during 1996. [He released a September 30, 1994 letter from C. R. Haden, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering stating that “both Dr. Volz and I hold you in the highest regard.”]
In a letter to President Bowen and sent to all TAMU faculty, Professor Pradhan stated: "The files contain hundred of e-mails to faculty, both on and off campus, expressing my deep concerns about post-tenure dismissal policy. (Which, from my vantage, is no less than an annihilation of tenure. This would have the effect of devastating TAMU’s ability to recruit faculty from top universities, as I have repeatedly and publicly stated over the past few months). Some of these e-mails unequivocally express my vehemence over any ill-advised course, to what I believe to be right and in the best interests of the university. (One administrator already informed me of TAMU’s right to look into encrypted files. The only encryption that will be found is my latex and postscript files - now, merely standard form for computer scientists!)
From the onset (onslaught?), I have offered to speak fully and openly on any point in question. TAMU’s response has not even been one of basic professional courtesy, except to talk secretly and behind my back to my staff, students and others. How else can such a clandestine way of proceeding be considered, other than as harassment?
If mine are sentiments unappreciated by some here, I nevertheless certainly have my right to them, as well as to their unadulterated expression. (Many from outside campuses, incidentally, have registered their concurrence with my stated position, as well)."
He released a number of e-mails sent to him critical of Texas A&M and University of Texas [apparently in the hands of the auditors].
In a November 15, 1996 release, Dr. Pradhan said:
While you are aware that I have never been notified of any purported allegations, engaging an attorney at least has resulted in being informed that the investigation focuses on my interest in a private company, and its relationship to the university. It is unabashedly true that I maintain an interest in facilitating “Technology Transfer”, throughout my career, at various universities.
Never before has any institution raised any concern; in fact, such activities are routine and encouraged at all leading institutions -- state-supported and otherwise. This company is comprised of two arms: one education, one research. The Auditor may be unacquainted with such efforts toward technology innovation. This activity has already resulted in excess of $1 million worth of funding from the state of Texas, as well as from federal sources. Through this private company, we have provided TAMU with several tools, such as REACT, which was an integral part of the proposal that, indeed, was funded.
This software was developed at my former institution and if anything, TAMU should be thanking ME for taking the liberty of making the earlier proprietary software, developed by my students at the University of Massachusetts, free of cost, to further develop TAMU’s mission.
In a letter addressed to The Members of the Personnel Welfare Committee, he asked:
How is a university police officer empowered to, now, issue a subpoena for personal tax returns, as well as canceled checks from my personal account? I am willing to share my personal tax returns with an independent faculty committee, or the Provost’s office, but will resist this invasive move by the auditors. Incidentally, this is not the first subpoena issue against me at A&M; in ‘93, one of my harassing colleagues saw fit to deal with me in this manner. (This burgeoning file documenting my harassment at A&M began almost upon my employment here in January 1992, and can certainly be made available to interested parties).
Apparently, one student has retained illegal possession of the sole copy of electronic files containing his proposals and papers, after having merely been asked to type these. “In spite of my repeated requests, there has been no effective response thus far,” Pradhan stated.
John C. Slattery, holder of an endowed professorship in Engineering, stated in a fax on January 8, 1997, that “Professor Pradhan’s home telephone apparently has been illegally tapped for the last two months.”
For more information, see Frank Bass, "Professor Knows He Is A Suspect--But Little Else," Wall Street Journal, February 19, 1997, T1 and T4.
John Kirsch, "D.A. Investigates A&M Professor," B/CS Eagle, February 20, 1997, A-1 and A-7.
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Last Updated: 26 February 1997