Although he has suffered several setbacks, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Black Studies Stanley O. Gaines, Jr. is still vehemently fighting, now with the help of outside organizations, to save his job and any possibility that he might have of getting tenure.

Gaines, who has taught full-time at Pomona since ’93, became the first faculty member to be rejected for tenure since the ’94-’95 school year. Since his rejection, Gaines has filed several complaints at the school alleging various types discrimination and various types of procedural flaws. He believes that he may have been discriminated against due to his race, African-American, as well his outspokenness on several issues including multiculturalism and department organization.

"I am deemed uncollegial because I am so outspoken," Gaines said. "However, the school policy for tenure indicates that collegiality should not be a factor in the tenure decision- making process. It should only be based on merit."

A current report published in Academe magazine seems to agree with Gaines’ allegations. It states in an article entitled "On Collegiality As a Criterion for Faculty Evaluation", "In recent years, Committee A has become aware of an increasing tendency...to add a fourth criterion in faculty evaluation: ‘collegiality.’ For the reasons set forth in this statement, we view this development as highly unfortunate, and we agree that it should be discouraged."

However, in past interviews with TSL, Pomona President Peter Stanley has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing by the school in its evaluation of Gaines’ candidacy for tenure.

The Faculty Personnel Committee rejected Gaines’ first appeal of the decision to deny him tenure. Professor of Chemistry Wayne Stienmetz, who served on the subcommittee that reviewed Gaines’ case, stated that the committee followed the policy mandated by The Faculty Handbook when considering the review of the case and thus gave the case complete and proper consideration.

Left with few options, and a contract due to expire on June 30, 2000, he is seeking the help of both the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)- an organization which all faculty members are part of- as well as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

In its initial report, the AAUP found that Gaines should have received tenure based on the school’s criteria. They concluded that Gaines, who has been active in the academic world by publishing several articles as well as authoring a book, fits the description of someone who should be granted tenure. However, as of yet, this ruling has resulted in no action.

"The AAUP book of guidelines is known as the ‘red book’," said Steinmetz. "It provides guidelines and recommendations for dealing with matters like these, but by no means are we bound to every recommendation."

The EEOC has also expressed interest in investigating the case. Gaines, a member of the small community of black pofessors at Pomona, now hasa total of three charges pending with the proposal. The school’s legal council was also on hand to promote the proposal. Gaines said that the proposal seems to contradict other school policies in regards to the review process when a grievance is filed.

For the time being, Gaines must sit and wait until the EEOC conducts its investigation. Gaines is discouraged by the lengthiness of the process, but remains optimistic about the outcome.

"I have to remain optimistic about the case," Gaines said. "From the stuff I have read from them, I have a feeling that this case will be decided in my favor."

If the case is not resolved by June 30, 2000, or if the EEOC sides with Pomona, Gaines will likely lose his job. However, the NAACP has shown interest in the case, and Gaines feels that they would devote the resources necessary to make further arguments for Gaines’ retention at Pomona.

Although unhappy with the results of the tenure investigation thus far, Gaines is happy to be teaching at Pomona and actually thinks he continues to improve his teaching as he now has extra incentive. "I really want to stay here," Gaines said. "The kids here are really wonderful, and I want to continue teaching them."