By Associate professor Michael Berlin and assistant professor Alan Jacobs from the Cal State Long Beach Film and Electronic Arts Department are under investigation regarding the validity of their credentials – which include degree acquisition and prior work experience – said Craig Smith, chairman of the film and electronic arts department, Tuesday afternoon.
A forum discussion on the investigation will begin at 12:30 p.m. today in Lecture Hall 150. However, Smith said the forum will be open only to film majors, and that comments made in the forum will be off the record.
“This is a closed meeting with the students so that they feel free to air any feelings they have,” Smith said.
Smith said via e-mail that the charges were first investigated in December 2007.
“The university will move with utmost care to be sure everyone’s rights are protected,” Smith said. “We don’t tolerate academic fraud among students, and so faculty should set an example in that regard. The university is acting to protect the reputation of our department, and I’m grateful for that. We will do all in our power to assure that students continue to have a quality education in their major.”
In a statement made by CSULB President F. King Alexander, he said university officials are “taking this issue very seriously and are in the process of gathering all the facts before any action is taken.”
Berlin did not return phone calls or e-mails for comment Tuesday afternoon. Jacobs declined to comment Tuesday afternoon.
Campus discussion on the investigation began after Brian Alan Lane, an associate professor from the film department, published a guest opinion column called “Cheaters Ever Prosper” in the May 7 edition of the Union Weekly.
According to the University Telecommunications Directory, Lane shares the UTC Room 238 office with Berlin.
Andy Franks also contributed to this report.
