UC’s systemic problem

Newly released records of scores of sexual misconduct cases across the University of California system magnify the disturbing implications of last year’s harassment revelations at the Berkeley campus. The documents show that much of California’s elite public university system suffers from alarming levels of lowly behavior.

UC investigated more than 100 cases of sexual harassment, assault and other violations by faculty and staff at its 10 campuses over a period of about three years ending in 2016, according to information released this week in response to a public-records request filed by several media organizations nearly a year ago. While some campuses recorded only a few cases during that time, San Francisco had the most, 26, and Berkeley ranked third, with 19, the Mercury News reported.

It was UC Berkeley’s recent spree of high-profile transgressions that drew renewed attention to the problem. Star professors, a law school dean, a vice chancellor and an assistant basketball coach were among the accused. Worse, some had faced scant consequences until the misconduct became public.

UC President Janet Napolitano has brought appropriate focus to the issue, instituting a systemwide sexual misconduct policy, mandatory education and a committee to review cases involving senior staff. But it won’t be clear whether any of this has made an impact without more transparency. In the future, UC must release data on sexual misconduct cases regularly and readily to allow the public to determine whether it’s making necessary progress.