Reference no: EM133527490
Assignment:
Robert Stark was employed as a police officer at East Nature University (ENU), a branch of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. On April 26, 2017, when Robert Stark was at the home of a family friend, he was arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police in a drug raid. Later that day, the state police filed a criminal complaint charging Robert Stark with possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
The state police notified ENU's Director of Human Resources, Jaime Lannister, of the arrest and charges. Director Lannister suspended Robert Stark without pay effective immediately, pending an investigation into the criminal charges filed against him. The letter explained that any action taken by ENU would not rely on the disposition of the criminal charges. Director Lannister is the only University Official empowered to discipline University Police Officers.
Although the criminal charges were dismissed on May 1, Robert Stark's suspension remained in effect while ENU continued with its own investigation. On May 18, Assistant Human Resources Director Tyrell met with Robert Stark in order to give him an opportunity to tell his side of the story. Assistant Director Tyrell then met with Director Lannister to give him a full report of his conversation with Robert Stark. Based on that report, Director Lannister decided to demote Robert Stark.
In a letter dated May 23, Director Lannister notified Robert Stark that he was being demoted to the position of patrol officer rank 1 effective the next day. Robert Stark was given an opportunity to appeal to the University President, who reviewed the facts, met with Robert Stark on May 26, and upheld the demotion.
In the above fact pattern, did the University follow sufficient due process procedures? You should analyze the question using the Matthews factors from Module 12.