(Office of Trstieutional Ey and Equa! O>poruaity [3 Main Butiding Lexington, KY 40506-00932 859 257-8927 fox 859 323-3739 www.uhy.edu/EVPFA/BEO ity October 9, 2015 Dean Dan O'Hair, PhO College of Communication and information 3088 Lucille Caudl Little Fine Arts Library Campus 0226 Re: Buck Ryan, Faculty ‘Communications Dear Dr. O'Hair, ‘The Office of institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity has completed the investigation into the ‘complaints made regarding the behavior of faculty member Buck Ryan durin ina of Jn University. The complaints included inappropriate behavior with nnd inappropriate language in public. | have information from all the faculty on the trip to J are unanimous in their feefing that Mr. Ryan was inappropriate in his behavior wit While there is ne allegation of a sexual sia there were. ee of f significant ‘concem few ofthe faculty described sseeiig Mr. Ryan king early one morning and she was wearing one of his UK shits. His behavior was of significant enough concern that two of the faculty members talked to him about tin China. Their concems were reportedly laughed off and he responded that, “we aren't at UK." Also of ‘major concer and embarrassment to ali those | talked a tthe closing ceremony; inserting the names of Chinese cities into the| Mr. Ryan responded only that he was helping the student with her English, they were working on something together, and that there were always students coming in and out ofthe suite. He saw nothing inappropriate with any of his behaviors and added that he was tying to Impress upon his colleagues that “we are in a hypersensitive moment regarding rape on campuses.” He stated he thought his behavior was ‘appropriate despite the fact that his colleagues all disagreed and were very out-spoken about it ‘My conversation wit also revealed that there hi complaints. ne has feceived one Tom henghel University and one from Jilin University about Mr. Ryan's behavior unrelated to my investigation, 15® 1865 2015Page 2 More than a preponderance of the evidence reveais that Mr. Ryan acted inappropriately in vioiation of the Discrimination and Harassment policy prohibiting Inappropriate touching and language of a sexual nature, Making it especially egregious is the fact that ne was with students at a University where he was a representative of the University of Kentucky and he fails to acknowledge any responsibility. The Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity therefore recommends that Mr Ryan not be funded by the University of Kentucky to represent UK in any travel abroad, which also means that he will forfeit the recently approved Gaines Center award, He also should be required to attend the next EEO 101 training offered through the Provost's Otfice for Faculty Advancement. In addition, should there be eny additional findings in violation of the Administrative Regulation 6:1, Discrimination and Harassment, there will be ‘additonal sanctions, up to and including termination and tenure revocation. Retaliation or attempted retaliation against anyone making @ complaint or participating in the investigation Cf such at the University of Kentucky is strictly prohibited. Anyone found in violation wil be disciplined up 0 and usually including termination, even in the absence of a discrimination/harassment finding, Please do not hesitate to contact me if there are any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Pattyender Assistant Vice President for Equal Opportunity Cc: Provost Tim Tracy. PhD