The Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) held a hearing on August 31, 2023, to discuss the findings of an audit regarding the California State University (CSU) system's handling of sexual harassment complaints. The audit was initiated following public concerns about CSU's practices, particularly in cases involving senior officials.

The audit revealed significant shortcomings in CSU's processes for managing sexual harassment allegations. Over a five-year period, the audit identified more than 1,200 complaints, with only 251 investigated—approximately 20%—and just 98 substantiated. Alarmingly, 25% of complaints were resolved beyond the CSU policy limit of 100 days, with some taking over 200 days to conclude. The audit also highlighted issues with record-keeping, which affected the reliability of the data.

Key findings included that many cases were closed at the intake stage without proper justification, leading to a lack of accountability and diminished trust among complainants. In a sample of 40 cases reviewed, 15 were closed without investigation, and 11 of these lacked clear rationales. The audit criticized the inconsistent application of CSU's definition of sexual harassment, with some investigators dismissing serious allegations based on narrow interpretations.

The report also examined disciplinary actions taken against employees found to have committed harassment. It noted that CSU did not consistently document or implement corrective actions, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its disciplinary measures. Additionally, the audit addressed the issue of "retreat rights," which allow executives to return to faculty positions after administrative roles. While no executives with findings of harassment were found to have retreated, the policy's limitations were noted, as it could permit individuals with substantiated claims to retain their positions if not terminated.

The findings underscore the need for CSU to improve its handling of sexual harassment complaints, enhance transparency in investigations, and ensure timely and documented disciplinary actions. The Chancellor's Office was urged to adopt better practices to foster a safer environment for students and staff. The JLAC hearing emphasized the importance of accountability and the need for systemic changes within the CSU system to address these critical issues.