- Jurisdiction
- South Dakota
Recently our department (Agriculture and Biosystem Engineering) selected three final-list candidates for the department head position and completed an on-site interview. However, I found that all three candidates graduated from the same colleges (BS or MS degree institutes) as the senior faculty (Dr. Muthu) in my department. The committee chair and vice dean (Dr. Gibbons) told our department that all 9 applicants (in total 11) were invited by Dr. Muthu (current interim department head).
Yesterday, Dr. Muthu announced in department meeting that the best external candidate refused the offer, now he submitted his application and will accept the department head position after his on-site interview.
I have couple of questions:
Thanks for your help
Jimmy Gu
Yesterday, Dr. Muthu announced in department meeting that the best external candidate refused the offer, now he submitted his application and will accept the department head position after his on-site interview.
I have couple of questions:
- Whether this is legal or not? Should we restart recruiting, or continue electing from the candidates pool?
- Whether this ethic? Any potential ethic issues involved here? Should Dr. Muthu avoid applying for this position because he recruited all 9 candidates including all 3 top candidates, who have close relationships (classmates or alumni) with him.
- As an applicant for this position, should I find a lawyer to start legal process about potential discrimination issues in this case?
Thanks for your help
Jimmy Gu