Campus News

Professor receives formal reprimand

The former head of UGA’s institutional diversity office has been formally reprimanded for his “lack of judgment” during a trip to Washington, D.C., with a female graduate student.

But university officials concluded there was “insufficient evidence to say Keith Parker violated UGA anti-harassment and discrimination ­policies.”

Parker, a tenured professor of sociology, was removed from his position as associate provost for institutional diversity in July after administrators learned about the incident.

In an Aug. 24 letter to Parker, Provost Arnett C. Mace Jr., wrote, “I am very concerned about the lack of judgment you exhibited in allowing a graduate student to travel with you on university business, without completing the appropriate documentation and allowing the student to share your suite.

“In that you have been removed from your ­administrative duties, I do not feel further ­disciplinary action is necessary.”

Mace also told Parker that he could be fired for future violations of the university’s anti-harassment and discrimination policies.