July 31, 1998
Contact: Sharon Kha (520) 621-9017
Home (520) 325-2485
Statement of Peter Likins, President, University of Arizona Regarding Dr. Marguerite Kay
"I have decided to accept the recommendations of The University of Arizona Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure (CAFT) and end the employment and affiliation of Dr. Marguerite Kay with The University of Arizona."
"This decision was made after intense peer review and consideration by three separate panels of Dr. Kay's faculty colleagues. The initial inquiry was conducted by the University Committee on Ethics and Commitment (UCEC), which found grounds for a formal investigation. The CAFT then undertook a comprehensive investigation and concluded that scientific misconduct had occurred. A separate hearing panel of Dr. Kay's peers then heard five days of additional testimony and considered the evidence. Based on the voluminous data and testimony provided, the CAFT unanimously recommended that Dr. Kay's employment be terminated."
"In addition, my own investigation into this matter came to the same determination. To ignore the evidence would undermine the ethical standards set by this University, the federal government, and the scientific community as a whole."
"As the head of her laboratory, Dr. Kay is personally and professionally responsible for the work performed and for any misleading conclusions published as the result of such work. Her failure to accept this responsibility is a major factor in my decision to follow the CAFT's recommendation for her termination. As required by federal statute, I have also directed the University to forward the CAFT report to the Office of Research Integrity of the Public Health Service."
"I want to express my gratitude to the many faculty members and staff members involved in this difficult and sometimes painful investigation. An incident such as this is never easy to deal with, but the faculty committees conducted themselves in a manner befitting this institution and the highest standards of scientific integrity."
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