Zhengxin Wang: Timeline of Events 08/08/2012: I submitted the documents for the tenure renewal to Debra Linzer, the Department Administrator. 09/17/2013: The deadline for submission of the application to the Faculty Academic Affairs. 09/25/2012: I met Dr. Kalluri to discuss my application. Dr. Kalluri told me that the standards for tenure renewal are higher now, because the leadership of the institute has changed, and based on his judgment, I was not qualified for tenure renewal. Dr. Kalluri asked me to seek a position outside, because I have served MD Anderson Cancer Center for a long time (12 years). 09/26/2012: Talked with Dr. Dana Kurtin and was told that according to the institute policy, my application must be submitted regardless of whether the chair is supportive, neutral, or objective. She also told me that the Faculty Academic Affairs will contact Dr. Kalluri for submission of my application. March, 2013: Under the request, and pressure from the Faculty Academic Affairs, Dr. Kalluri finally submitted my application. 01/08/2013: Dr. Kalluri’s assessment of my Overall Research Evaluation and Other Sponsored Activities & Other Institutional Activities in Academic Affairs Performance Appraisal (FY12) was that I “DID NOT MEET GOALS.” He wrote some general negative comments on these two categories. 01/25/2013: I discussed these issues about my appraisal with Dr. Kalluri. After I showed him my goals established at the beginning of the appraisal period and what I have achieved, Dr. Kalluri told me that he was convinced that I have met my goals on Overall Research Evaluation and Other Sponsored Activities & Other Institutional Activities. I also told Dr. Kalluri about my application for moving to the Department of Urology, and that his evaluation of my appraisal might affect this application. 02/14/2013: I found that Dr. Kalluri’s assessment was changed to “ACHIEVED GOALS” and some of his negative comments were also deleted. 02/19/2013: Dr. Kalluri’s assessment and comments were changed to what was stated back on 01/08/2013. 03/13/2013: I met with Dr. Kalluri to discuss my appraisal again. He told me that the reason for the recent changes on his assessment and comments is that my application for moving to the Department of Urology was declined, and I cannot go anywhere other than remain in the Department of Cancer Biology.
03/29/2013: I filed a complaint about Dr. Kalluri’s mistreatment to me to Dr. Bogler at the Faculty Academic Affairs. 04/10/2013: Talked with Dr. Bogler and was suggested to file a complaitn to HR. 04/11/2013: Filed a complaint about Dr. Kalluri’s misbehaviors to HR. 05/31/2013: Talked with Osvaldo Gomez from HR over phone to discuss my complaint. He told me that Dr. Kalluri’s behavior is not DISRUPTIVE and suggested that I talk to Ms. Kurtin at the Faculty Academic Affairs. 05/31/2013: Received a FedEX letter at home from the Provost informing me that my tenure renewal application was declined. 06/03/2013: Sent an email to the Provost asking for the reasons my application was declined. The Provost never responded my request. 06/18/2013: Filed an appeal to the Provost. 08/15/2013: Appeal was declined.
Thursday, A pril 2 4, 2 014 1 0:29:58 A M C entral Daylight Time
Subject: Faculty Appeal Date: Friday, March 29, 2013 3:04:29 PM Central Daylight Time From: To:
Wang,Zhengxin Bogler,Oliver
Dear Dr. Bogler: Included please find the files for Faculty Appeal. Thanks. Zhengxin Wang Associate Professor Department of Cancer Biology UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Tel:4-‐1035
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Memorandum To: Dr. Oliver Bogler, Sr. VP, Academic Affairs From: Zhengxin Wang Subject: Faculty Appeal for the workplace-related disruptive and inappropriate behavior Date: 03/29/2013 I am an associate professor in the Department of Cancer Biology. It has been my honor and pleasure to work for 12 years in the Department of Cancer Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center and to contribute to the institute’s goal - making cancer history. I have perceived unfair treatment, improper behavior/conduct, and abuse of authority by Dr. Raghu Kalluri, who was recruited as the Chairman of Department of Cancer Biology in the last year. Dr. Kalluri’s misbehavior breached UTMDACC Institutional Policy #ACA0061 (Appointment and Promotion Policy), #ACA0024 (Faculty Term Tenure Policy), and #ACA0052 (Annual Faculty Performance Appraisal Policy). He also breached the Institutional Code of Conduct (Principle Nine) and MD Anderson’s Standards of Conduct (Work Environment). The following is a list of facts and events happened to me since August 8, 2012. 1. I submitted the documents for my tenure renewal to Debra Linzer, the Department Administrator, on August 8, 2012 (Appendix 1) and discussed with Dr. Raghu Kalluri my application at 2:00 pm, September 25, 2012 in SRB1.110g (Appendix 2). During this meeting, Dr. Kalluri told me that he cannot support my application and refused to have my application submitted. I emphasized the fact that I met the established criteria/qualifications as listed in UTMDACC Faculty Promotion Policy (ACA0030) and Faculty Term Tenure Policy (ACA0024) for tenure renewal. Dr. Kalluri told me that the standard for tenure renewal is high now because the leadership of the institute has been changed and based on his judgment I was not qualified for tenure renewal. The fact is that even though the leadership has been changed the criteria/qualifications for tenure renewal are not changed as posted on the web page (inside3.mdanderson.org/apps/ipp/academic/policies) of institutional policies. Based on these facts, Dr. Kalluri’s behavior breached UTMDACC Faculty Promotion Policy (ACA0030) and Faculty Term Tenure Policy (ACA0024) by withholding my application for tenure renewal. 2. At the meeting on September 25, 2012, Dr. Kalluri asked me to seek a position outside because I have served MD Anderson Cancer Center for a long time. I regard this as inappropriate behavior and abuse of power over a subordinate as per UTMDACC Faculty Standards of Conduct Policy (ACA0043). 3. On January 8, 2013, in reading Dr. Kalluri’s assessment of my Overall Research Evaluation and Other Sponsored Activities & Other Institutional Activities in Academic Affairs Performance Appraisal (FY12), “DID NOT MEET GOALS” and some general negative comments on these two categories were cited by him
(Appendix 3). I discussed this issue with Dr. Kalluri at 3:15 pm, January 25, 2013 in 3SCR5.3418 (Appendix 4). After I showed him my goals established at the beginning of the appraisal period (Appendix 5) and what I have achieved (Appendix 3), Dr. Kalluri told me that he was convinced that I have met my goals on Overall Research Evaluation and Other Sponsored Activities & Other Institutional Activities. I also told Dr. Kalluri about my application for moving to the Department of Urology and his evaluation of my appraisal might affect this application. On February 14, 2013, I found that Dr. Kalluri’s assessment was changed to “ACHIEVED GOALS” and some of his negative comments were also deleted (Appendix 6). I emailed Dr. Kalluri’s assistant Pamela Samuel on February 14, 2013 to ask Dr. Kalluri to move his comments on my educational activity from the Research Section to the education-related section (Appendix 7). On February 19, 2013, to my surprise, Dr. Kalluri’s assessment and comments were changed to what was stated back on January 8, 2013 (Appendix 8). 4. I met with Dr. Kalluri at 10:00 am on March 13, 2013 to discuss my appraisal again (Appendix 9). The reason for the recent changes on his assessment and comments is that my application for moving to the Department of Urology was declined and I cannot go anywhere other than remains in the Department of Cancer Biology accordingly. Dr. Kalluri’s behavior breached UTMDACC Annual Faculty Performance Appraisal Policy (ACA0052). 5. At the meeting on March 13, 2013, Dr. Kalluri did not prepare for the meeting and did not have my printed appraisal in hand. This made the discussion hard to follow. He blamed me for not reminding him in advance about what we were going to discuss. Actually, the meeting was arranged by his assistant Pamela Samuel and the meeting title (To discuss faculty appraisal with Dr. Zhengxin Wang) appeared on the appointment email (Appendix 10). Again, Dr. Kalluri’s behavior was in breach of MD Anderson’s Standards of Conduct and Institutional Code of Conduct (Principle Nine). Dr. Kalluri’s disruptive behavior has created a hostile work environment for me. He intentionally establishes a the situation that forces me to leave the Department of Cancer Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. His inappropriate behavior has also caused traumatic stress at work and in my daily life. I request the institution to take necessary interventions and action as appropriate to prevent future disruptive and inappropriate behavior.
Thursday, A pril 2 4, 2 014 1 0:27:03 A M C entral Daylight Time
Subject: RE: Faculty Appeal Date: Thursday, April 11, 2013 8:49:01 AM Central Daylight Time From: To:
Bogler,Oliver Wang,Zhengxin
Dear Dr. Wang, Thanks for the note. It is never a waste of my time to talk to faculty about their concerns, and I was glad to have the chance to discuss your situation. I am sorry that I was unable to be of more help with the specific issues you raised. Best wishes, Oliver Bogler, PhD | Senior Vice President Academic Affairs Professor Neurosurgery - Research UT MD Anderson Cancer Center ☎ + 1 713 792 0873 www.mdanderson.org/education From: Wang,Zhengxin Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 8:34 AM To: Bogler,Oliver Subject: Re: Faculty Appeal
Dear Dr. Bogler, After talked with you I realized that my memo was sent to the wrong office. Sorry for wasting your time and efforts. Thanks. Zhengxin Wang From: <Bogler>, Oliver <obogler@mdanderson.org> Date: Thursday, April 4, 2013 2:49 PM To: MDACC <zhenwang@mdanderson.org> Cc: "Bourgeois,Winifred V" <wbourgeo@mdanderson.org>, "Stevenson,Yun-‐Lu" <lstevens@mdanderson.org> Subject: RE: Faculty Appeal Dear Dr. Wang, Thank you for the message. I would like to meet with you to get a better understanding of the issues you indicate in your memo. I will ask my assistant, Winnie Bourgeois, to schedule a meeting for us, and also ask Lori Stevenson from FAA to participate. Thanks, Oliver Bogler, PhD | Senior Vice President Academic Affairs Professor Neurosurgery - Research UT MD Anderson Cancer Center ☎ + 1 713 792 0873
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www.mdanderson.org/education From: Wang,Zhengxin Sent: Friday, March 29, 2013 3:04 PM To: Bogler,Oliver Subject: Faculty Appeal
Dear Dr. Bogler: Included please find the files for Faculty Appeal. Thanks. Zhengxin Wang Associate Professor Department of Cancer Biology UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Tel:4-1035
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Memorandum To: Karen S Harvey, HR Employment Practices From: Zhengxin Wang Subject: Report the workplace-related disruptive and inappropriate behavior Date: 04/11/2013 I am an associate professor in the Department of Cancer Biology. It has been my honor and pleasure to work for 12 years in the Department of Cancer Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center and to contribute to the institute’s goal - making cancer history. I have perceived unfair treatment, improper behavior/conduct, and abuse of authority by Dr. Raghu Kalluri, who was recruited as the Chairman of Department of Cancer Biology in the last year. Dr. Kalluri’s misbehavior breached UTMDACC Institutional Policy #ACA0061 (Appointment and Promotion Policy), #ACA0024 (Faculty Term Tenure Policy), and #ACA0052 (Annual Faculty Performance Appraisal Policy). He also breached the Institutional Code of Conduct (Principle Nine) and MD Anderson’s Standards of Conduct (Work Environment). The following is a list of facts and events happened to me since August 8, 2012. 1. I submitted the documents for my tenure renewal to Debra Linzer, the Department Administrator, on August 8, 2012 (Appendix 1) and discussed with Dr. Raghu Kalluri my application at 2:00 pm, September 25, 2012 in SRB1.110g (Appendix 2). During this meeting, Dr. Kalluri told me that he cannot support my application and refused to have my application submitted. I emphasized the fact that I met the established criteria/qualifications as listed in UTMDACC Faculty Promotion Policy (ACA0030) and Faculty Term Tenure Policy (ACA0024) for tenure renewal. Dr. Kalluri told me that the standard for tenure renewal is high now because the leadership of the institute has been changed and based on his judgment I was not qualified for tenure renewal. The fact is that even though the leadership has been changed the criteria/qualifications for tenure renewal are not changed as posted on the web page (inside3.mdanderson.org/apps/ipp/academic/policies) of institutional policies. Based on these facts, Dr. Kalluri’s behavior breached UTMDACC Faculty Promotion Policy (ACA0030) and Faculty Term Tenure Policy (ACA0024) by withholding my application for tenure renewal. 2. At the meeting on September 25, 2012, Dr. Kalluri asked me to seek a position outside because I have served MD Anderson Cancer Center for a long time. I regard this as inappropriate behavior and abuse of power over a subordinate as per UTMDACC Faculty Standards of Conduct Policy (ACA0043). 3. On January 8, 2013, in reading Dr. Kalluri’s assessment of my Overall Research Evaluation and Other Sponsored Activities & Other Institutional Activities in Academic Affairs Performance Appraisal (FY12), “DID NOT MEET GOALS” and some general negative comments on these two categories were cited by him (Appendix 3). I discussed this issue with Dr. Kalluri at 3:15 pm, January 25,
2013 in 3SCR5.3418 (Appendix 4). After I showed him my goals established at the beginning of the appraisal period (Appendix 5) and what I have achieved (Appendix 3), Dr. Kalluri told me that he was convinced that I have met my goals on Overall Research Evaluation and Other Sponsored Activities & Other Institutional Activities. I also told Dr. Kalluri about my application for moving to the Department of Urology and his evaluation of my appraisal might affect this application. On February 14, 2013, I found that Dr. Kalluri’s assessment was changed to “ACHIEVED GOALS” and some of his negative comments were also deleted (Appendix 6). I emailed Dr. Kalluri’s assistant Pamela Samuel on February 14, 2013 to ask Dr. Kalluri to move his comments on my educational activity from the Research Section to the education-related section (Appendix 7). On February 19, 2013, to my surprise, Dr. Kalluri’s assessment and comments were changed to what was stated back on January 8, 2013 (Appendix 8). 4. I met with Dr. Kalluri at 10:00 am on March 13, 2013 to discuss my appraisal again (Appendix 9). The reason for the recent changes on his assessment and comments is that my application for moving to the Department of Urology was declined and I cannot go anywhere other than remains in the Department of Cancer Biology accordingly. Dr. Kalluri’s behavior breached UTMDACC Annual Faculty Performance Appraisal Policy (ACA0052). 5. At the meeting on March 13, 2013, Dr. Kalluri did not prepare for the meeting and did not have my printed appraisal in hand. This made the discussion hard to follow. He blamed me for not reminding him in advance about what we were going to discuss. Actually, the meeting was arranged by his assistant Pamela Samuel and the meeting title (To discuss faculty appraisal with Dr. Zhengxin Wang) appeared on the appointment email (Appendix 10). Again, Dr. Kalluri’s behavior was in breach of MD Anderson’s Standards of Conduct and Institutional Code of Conduct (Principle Nine). Dr. Kalluri’s disruptive behavior has created a hostile work environment for me. He intentionally establishes a the situation that forces me to leave the Department of Cancer Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. His inappropriate behavior has also caused traumatic stress at work and in my daily life. I request the institution to take necessary interventions and action as appropriate to prevent future disruptive and inappropriate behavior.
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 2
APPENDIX 3
APPENDIX 3
APPENDIX 4
APPENDIX 5
APPENDIX 6
APPENDIX 7
APPENDIX 8
APPENDIX 9
APPENDIX 10
Thursday, A pril 2 4, 2 014 1 0:10:57 A M C entral Daylight Time
Subject: RE: Appeal for the decision on my tenure renewal Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 9:55:16 PM Central Daylight Time From: To:
Buchholz,Thomas A Wang,Zhengxin
Thank you Tom From: Wang,Zhengxin Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 9:50 AM To: Buchholz,Thomas A Subject: Appeal for the decision on my tenure renewal
Dear Dr. Buchholz, Included please find my appeal for the decision on my tenure renewal. Thanks. Zhengxin Wang Associate Professor Department of Cancer Biology Md Anderson Cancer Center Tel: 4-‐1035 Fax: 2-‐8747
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Zhengxin Wang, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Cancer Biolog MD Anderson Cancer Center 1515 Holcombe Boulevard – 173 Houston, TX 77030 Tel: 713-794-1035 Fax: 713-792-8747 Email: zhenwang@mdanderson.org
June 28, 2013
Dear Dr. Buchholz, I would like to highlight some of my qualifications for renewal of tenure term. Scientific Achievements: My research has revealed a novel mechanism by which growth and differentiation of prostate and lung epithelial cells are controlled and demonstrated how abnormal regulation of these processes contributes to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. This basic science work had been extended to pre-‐clinical studies whereby my laboratory has identified compounds from chemical library that could ultimately prove of utility in the prevention and treatment of lung and prostate cancer. Thus, my research is original and novel and will definitely help the institute to achieve its goal - making cancer history. Continuous Funding: I have maintained continuous funding since I jointed MD Anderson Cancer Center 12 years ago and currently hold two DOD awards (as PI on one and Co-‐PI on the other). High Productivity: My work in the past 6 years has generated 25 papers published in high ranking journals include EMBO J, PNAS, Mol Cell Biol, Oncogene, just to name a few. A Collegial and Enthusiastic Collaborator: I have collaborated with 6 other investigators within the institute, which has all come to fruition with 6 papers published in peer-‐ reviewed journals . Excellent track record in education and mentoring: I have lectured two formal courses for GSBS graduate students and been effective as a supervising professor for more than 20 trainees. I have served on the Admission Committee for the GSBS Cancer Biology Program for 10 years and on 9 Advisory, Supervisory, and Examining Committees. Nationally and Internationally Recognized: I was requested to write chapters for two scientific books and invited to present my research at national and international meetings and to give seminars at other institutes. I am a current grant reviewer for the DOD Prostate Cancer Research Program and served as a scientific reviewer for other grant agents and scientific journals. Thus, I met the criteria and qualifications for renewal of term tenure as listed on the Faculty Term Tenure Policy (UTMDACC Institutional Policy #ACA0024). Thank you for your kind consideration. Yours truly, Zhengxin Wang
Appendix 1