Professor A alleged that those involved in the recruitment of a university researcher in a natural sciences field had falsified the merits of the applicants. The university responded that the allegation concerned a hiring decision and therefore did not fall within the scope of the RI Guidelines. No RI process was initiated in the case.
A was dissatisfied with the university’s decision. In their request for a statement, A referred to the section in the RI Guidelines according to which issues related to hiring decisions fall within the scope of the RI Guidelines when RI issues are also involved. TENK agreed with A’s view. Because the university’s reason for not initiating an RI process was not in accordance with the RI Guidelines, it could not alone justify the decision not to initiate a preliminary RI inquiry. TENK did not comment on whether or not the university should have done so, and TENK did not comment on possible RI violations as an RI process had not been carried out. TENK’s overall assessment was that the university should reassess whether to initiate an RI process in the matter.