News Article

We know this has been a difficult experience for members and we are sorry for the distress this has caused. That said, to dispel the rumors as to how SAA handled the Dr. David Yesner situation at the SAA annual meeting, here’s a detailed description of the events:

- On Friday late morning, April 12, 2019, SAA received two complaints regarding Dr. Yesner’s presence at the meeting due to sexual harassment allegations made against him while he was employed at the University of Alaska Anchorage. SAA began reviewing the complaints immediately.

-Within one hour of receipt of the complaints, SAA received correspondence from Cathy Sandeen, Ph.D., M.B.A., University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor. Dr Sandeen indicated that Dr. Yesner was no longer employed by the University and echoed the concerns of the individuals who filed the complaints about Dr. Yesner’s presence at the meeting.

-On Friday, April 12, 2019 – A few hours after receipt of the complaints, SAA notified Dr. Yesner that it was removing him from the meeting per SAA’s policy.

-At no time before Friday, April 12, 2019 did SAA receive any information regarding Mr. Yesner which would have precluded his attendance at the meeting but, as noted above, as soon as SAA was made aware of the information, it acted to remove him from the meeting within hours.

Please check back for further updates as we continue to examine this situation.