Castro nominated Fresno State VP accused of sexual harassment to be president of CSU campus

Former California State University chancellor and Fresno State president Joseph I. Castro met Frank Lamas in 2012, hired him as vice president of student affairs in 2014 and backed him for years while reports of sexual harassment, bullying and a hostile work environment rolled in.

That included positive performance evaluations, which led to annual pay increases that made Lamas one of the highest-paid vice presidents in the CSU system. But, also, a nomination in 2018 for the presidency at Cal State San Marcos that went to Ellen J. Neufeldt.

Castro as president at Fresno State emailed former CSU chancellor Timothy White, saying that Lamas was “well prepared” to serve. The email:

“Hi Tim:

I write to enthusiastically nominate Frank R. Lamas, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Fresno State, to be the next President of California State University, San Marcos.

“Frank has a long track record of administrative success at Fresno State, the University of Texas, Arlington and other universities of various sizes. He has been an exemplary colleague and campus leader at Fresno State since 2014. Frank has led a complete revamping of the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management area to make it more student service focused and in complete alignment with our Graduation Initiative 2025 vision and goals. He has also implemented one of the most robust student basic needs initiatives in the nation.

“Frank is well prepared to serve as President of CSU San Marcos. He is a bilingual speaker and culturally competent. Moreover, his compelling personal story as an immigrant and first generation to college student will be inspiring to the San Marcos community.

“I believe that Frank’s strong, collaborative and mission-focused leadership would benefit greatly San Marcos and the entire CSU.

“Thank you for considering this nomination. I would be pleased to provide a more in-depth assessment of Frank’s leadership and contributions whenever you wish.

“Sincerely, Joe Castro.”

Lamas had come to Fresno State as a ”favor” to Castro, and they had discussed that he would work at the university for three or four years before Castro would attempt to find Lamas a presidency position, according to the investigative report from a 2019 Title IX probe on the alleged sexual harassment of a female employee in student affairs. He repeated that claim in a Feb. 22 interview with The Bee.

There was no mention of the allegations against Lamas in the email to White or a nomination for the NASPA Fred Turner Service award, which were mostly anonymous or second- or third-hand until the formal Title IX complaint.

Lamas was working on ‘special projects’ during leave

Castro continued to back him through the end of his tenure at the university.

Lamas took a leave of absence on Nov, 4, 2019, the same day the Title IX coordinator at Fresno State sent him a notice of investigation per CSU executive order 1096, its policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, dating and domestic violence, and stalking against employees and third parties.

That leave was to run through Jan. 2, 2020, but was extended through Feb. 29, 2020 and in late February Castro emailed his cabinet and the department of student affairs that starting March 1 Lamas would be working remotely on special projects within his current role.

There was another email from Castro in late July that Lamas would continue to work on special projects until Aug. 31. On that date, Castro sent an email to campus that Lamas had decided to retire effective Dec. 31, 2020, and work on special assignments until then.

In 2020, while under investigation, going through an appeal of its findings and mediating a settlement, Lamas was paid $260,356 and $357,983 in total pay and benefits, according to state records.

The mediated settlement included a payment of $260,000 within 30 days of the enforceability date for any and all matters related to his employment at Fresno State and the CSU including any and all calls for damages, costs, expenses or attorney’s fees and compensation against the CSU, its officers, agents or employees.

The university also agreed to provide a letter of reference from Castro to help to facilitate future opportunities.

As part of the settlement, Lamas agreed not to seek or accept employment within the CSU system.