Situation
Professor Allison Lucyk is serving on a committee of the American Sociological Association. He receives the agenda for an upcoming meeting of this committee which is accompanied by a packet of materials designed to provide needed background for the discussion and decision- making to come. Among them is a complaint one sociologist is making about the professional behavior of another. The person complaining is someone Professor Lucyk edited a book with 10 years ago, but someone he now rarely sees. He had no knowledge of the complaint or its detail until he reads the materials he was just sent by ASA.
Questions
- What, if any, action should Professor Lycyk take?
- Does the amount of time that has passed since Professor Lucyk had a close relationship with the complainant obviate her need to do anything?
Discussion
This is a decision that has consequences for the complainant and the sociologist being complained about, but also for Professor Lucyk, the other members of the committee, the ASA and the discipline generally. In order to avoid even the slightest hint of impropriety, Professor Lucyk should contact ASA and inform them that she will recuse herself from the portion of the committee meeting that deals with this case. She should also destroy the materials she has been sent or arrange to return them to a specific person on the committee or within ASA.
