Kean trustees vote 7-4 in favor of retaining Farahi

By Cheryl Hehl, Staff Writer

Despite strong allegations by the teachers union that the university’s president, Dawood Farahi, had falsified his academic credentials, the Kean University Board of Trustees voted 7 to 4 Wednesday night, with one abstention, to keep him on.

The board made the announcement after spending four hours deliberating in closed session while hundreds of students and faculty milled around Kean Hall waiting for their decision. The overflow crowd spilled into the hallways.

This was the second time in a week the board deliberated on the fate of Farahi's leadership ability after the Kean Federation of Teachers continued for months to bring out countless instances where the 63-year-old university president had misrepresented his academic credentials in resumes dating back to 1982.

Although Board of Trustees Secretary Audrey Kelly attempted to read a prepared statement explaining the board's decision, her words were drowned out by the large crowd yelling and chanting "shame on you" and "academic fraud."  The din grew ever louder when Board President Ada Morell banged on the gavel in an attempt to bring back some semblance of order. But it was lost on the angry crowd who largely hoped for a different outcome.

In the statement, the board expressed "confidence" in Farahi's leadership and "ability to continue the progress we are making at Kean University."  They also stressed they had carefully reviewed the findings of a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of academic fraud along with all the information the KFT had provided.

"The board has expended significant time and resources to ensure that the investigation was thorough in its approach," Kelly said, adding that the report by their independent legal team was reviewed "with the best interests of the university and its students in mind."

The board did specifically mention the allegations against Farahi, but suggested that since these instances were "decades old and not consistent with today's rigorous academic environment at Kean," it was not enough to warrant his removal as university president. However, the board did point out that they were not pleased with what took place.

"The board does not condone these mistakes made by Dr. Farahi, in fact we deplore them," the statement said, going on to stress that none of the findings by their investigators "is material to Dr. Farahi’s successful employment as president of Kean."

The board also said in their statement they now consider the matter "resolved" and "quite simply, it is time to get back to work." Many students and faculty at the meeting made it clear they did not feel the same way.

Jesus Diaz, a Kean Professor of Philosophy, was visibly upset by the decision and flatly stated, "A degree from Kean is worthless."

"Every student should transfer out of Kean now because their degrees will be worth nothing after this," he added.

KFT President James Castiglione was reflective about the decision, commenting that while he was "deeply disappointed," he felt the entire issue of Farahi falsifying his credentials "will continue to resonate."

"This will continue to get worse, all to the detriment of Kean," he said.

Farahi, in a prepared statement handed out to everyone as they left Kean Hall around 10 p.m., make it clear he was ready to move on.

“I am grateful for the board’s continued support and leadership,” the statement read. “I take full responsibility for the errors I have made, and I apologize for the negative attention that I have brought to the university. I will continue the board’s vision for Kean University and its students. Now it’s time to focus our energy on the challenges and opportunities ahead.”