UNR professor’s handling of funds called negligent

RENO -- A University of Nevada, Reno professor's handling of research funds was negligent, unprofessional and dishonest, but his conduct does not warrant his firing, a hearing officer ruled.

At the same time Friday, the officer cleared Hussein S. Hussein, an internationally known animal nutrition researcher, of a charge of plagiarizing his students' work.

The findings by Peter Breen, a retired Washoe County District Court judge, are the result of a disciplinary hearing. They will be sent to a four-member faculty committee, which will make a recommendation to UNR President Milton Glick.

The committee can urge that Hussein receive a warning, written reprimand, pay cut, suspension or dismissal, but Glick will make the final decision on Hussein's fate.

Hussein concealed the contractual nature of his research projects with three companies from 1988 to 2006, keeping the university from rightfully collecting $377,000 in overhead and staffing costs, Breen wrote in his 28-page report.

Hussein used the money to improve his lab.

"The university was deprived of the opportunity to negotiate for indirect costs with regard to the foregoing contracts," the report states.

Hussein's attorney, Jeff Dickerson, said his client hails Breen's analysis of the plagiarism charge but would appeal "any adverse decision."

Hussein, 52, has maintained he's being punished because he was a whistle-blower who alleged abuse of university research animals in complaints to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2004.

Hussein has filed two lawsuits against the university and administrators, accusing them of reprisals and trying to fire him since he complained.