For the record, Robert Finn's story on a faculty lawsuit at the University of Southern California (USC)(The Scientist, Feb. 3, 1997, page 1) contains an aside that is in error: It notes that "USC was placed under AAUP [American Association of University Professors] censure in 1996 for an unrelated case involving denial of tenure to an assistant professor of sociology."

The case did not involve a tenure decision. It involved a probationary junior faculty member whose annual contract was not renewed. The recommendation of non-renewal was made by faculty within the department. The matter was thoroughly investigated by the cognizant dean, who decided that the junior faculty member would not be reappointed.

Barbara Solomon
Vice Provost
Faculty and Minority Affairs
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, Calif. 90089-4019

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