KCBD Investigates: Title IX accusations against former TTU dean

We have new details on the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Dr. Lance Nail as Dean of the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University.

We reported in November of last year that he resigned after an investigation related to grade changing procedures.

We have now learned about another investigation involving Dr. Nail.

KCBD obtained a copy of the joint investigation by the Dean of Students and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.

This Title IX investigation concluded that Dr. Nail "failed in his responsibility as the Dean of the College."

According to this report, in 2014, Dr. Franco Parisi joined the university as a visiting International Scholar from Chile in the Department of Finance at the Rawls College of Business

He was also a personal friend of Dr. Lance Nail, Dean of the College and Professor of Finance.

In addition to his financial background, Dr. Parisi had recently been a presidential candidate in Chile.

This investigation states that complaints about Dr. Parisi began shortly after his arrival at Texas Tech, when he made a presentation that included "inappropriate and offensive references to and about women."

A few months later, Dr. Parisi reportedly made drinks for a female staff member at the university during work hours, and then left her unattended when she became intoxicated and passed out in the building.

This report concluded that Dr. Parisi "abandoned the staff member in a life-threatening condition."

Dr. Nail was made aware of this incident and decided to not offer Dr. Parisi employment with the university the following year. Dr. Nail did however, encourage Dr. Parisi to attend a Rawls Business Leadership Program trip to Chile in May.

Dr. Nail did not attend the trip.

This investigation concluded that during that trip, Dr. Parisi subjected a female student to a "hostile learning environment."

That student reported that Dr. Parisi touched her leg, bought her gifts, and asked male students to take photos of her and send them to him.

These allegations were confirmed by witnesses.

This report said all participants on the trip were subjected to "inappropriate behavior."

These complaints were brought to Dr. Nail's attention, but the majority of students said they were concerned by his failure to address them.

This report concluded that "Not only was Dr. Nail the only person with full knowledge of Dr. Parisi's prior behavior, but he was also the Dean of the College and as such, the person who was responsible for making decisions about whether it was appropriate for Dr. Parisi to be on the trip. He failed in this responsibility."

The Title IX report also stated that Dr. Nail recommended Dr. Parisi for jobs at other universities including the University of Alabama, which is where Dr. Parisi is now employed.

Dr. Nail now has an attorney and argues the investigation is not entirely accurate.

We will continue to investigate and let you know what he has to say.