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A state appeals court ruled last week that Kean University in New Jersey violated the state’s Open Public Meetings Act when its Board of Trustees declined to renew a professor’s contract without first warning her of the decision, NJ.com reported.
In 2014, the board voted without discussion to terminate the contract of Valerie Hascup, an associate professor of nursing. The board also voted on personnel decisions that affected a number of other unnamed employees.
The university should have provided Hascup with a warning letter at least two weeks in advance of the meeting, according to the decision from the three-judge panel. The letter, which is called a Rice notice, would have informed Hascup of her rights to have the board discuss her employment openly at the meeting.
By holding a “silent unexplained vote,” the judges said, Kean violated the open public meetings law.
This parts with an earlier ruling from a trial court, which said the public university was acting within the law when it chose not to warn Hascup or any other university employees affected by decisions made at that board meeting.
Last week’s ruling overturns all the employment changes made in that meeting over two years ago, but Hascup’s attorney, Robert Fagella, told NJ.com he doesn’t know how that decision will play out. Fagella also said the ruling properly admonished Kean’s Board of Trustees and their “abominable” conduct.
Kean University officials objected to the outcome. A spokeswoman for Kean said they are reviewing the decision and may consider an appeal.
