POT PROF LOSES BID TO KEEP JOB

A University of Victoria sociology professor found with a marijuana-growing
operation in her Saanich home three years ago has lost an appeal to keep her
job.

The dismissal of Jean Veevers, who had been on the university staff since
1980, is effective immediately. She had been suspended with pay since
December 1998, when university president Dr. David Strong recommended she be
dismissed.

Veevers, 56, could not be reached for comment Friday.

Strong said that the dismissal of a tenured professor from a university is
``very uncommon.

``It certainly has happened in the past, but I haven't had any personal
experience (with it).''

The long-time prof, who has been teaching since she was 23, pleaded guilty
to charges of cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana for the for
the purpose of trafficking following a police raid on her home in April
1997. Officers seized 8.6 kilograms of marijuana and 122 marijuana plants
from a set-up described as sophisticated by the RCMP.

Veevers received a one-year conditional sentence, meaning it was served in
her home.

The decision to finally terminate Veevers' employment was made by a
three-person arbitration panel. Veevers' right to arbitration is contained
in the tenure agreement with university faculty, said UVic president David
Strong.

Strong said Friday his reasons for recommending that Veevers be fired
coincide with those contained in the panel's report.

A summary of the report cites the ``serious and willful misconduct''
displayed by Veevers, and says the crimes to which she pleaded guilty
``harmed the reputation and credibility of the university , and involved as
active partners two persons who were actual or potential students.''

The summary also makes reference to Veevers' ``unethical'' behaviour in
conducting her marijuana growing activities, which were carried out through
the theft of power from B.C. Hydro.

``We find that she has damaged her ability to guide and influence students
and to enforce academic honesty in relation to such things as plagiarism.''

Veevers had taken a partial retirement package prior to her legal troubles
and was working just over half time. With the loss of that position, she
gives up $52,000 in annual salary.

The UVic tenure document states clearly that the decision of the arbitration
panel is final, Strong said.