AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Effective immediately, Rick Hansen has resigned as dean of the Harrison School of Pharmacy following reports of misconduct. Dan Surry, associate dean for faculty affairs and strategic initiatives will serve as acting dean while an internal search for an interim dean is completed.
Hansen remains a tenured professor in the college and no disciplinary action on behalf of the university has been announced. Disciplinary action regarding faculty, up to and including dismissal, are handled according to the faculty handbook.
According to the Dismissal of Tenured Faculty policy found in the handbook, “Public statements and publicity about the case by either the faculty member or the University administration shall be avoided as far as possible.”
In an email sent out of students, faculty, and staff regarding Hansen's resignation, Auburn stated, "The creation and maintenance of a safe environment for our students will always be the highest priority" and emphasized that, "The university prohibits sexual harassment and addresses all reports under its policies, including allegations of off-campus conduct when appropriate".
The Office of the Provost will launch an internal search for an interim dean in the coming weeks. The interim dean will serve until a national search for a permanent dean is conducted.
