You are the chairman of the Department of Accountancy at a State University. One of the accounting professors in your department, has been consistently and uniformly regarded by students as an awful teacher for more than 10 years. Other accounting professors within your department have observed the professor's classroom teaching and they concur that his teaching skills are very poor. However, the professor was granted tenure years ago, thereby ensuring him life-long job security at the State University.

Much to your surprise, today you received a phone call from an accounting professor at another University. During this phone call you are informed that the other University is on the verge of making a job offer to your professor with the poor results. However, before extending the job offer, the faculty at the University wants your input regarding the professor's teaching effectiveness while at your State University.

Required:

Discuss the conflict of interest and ethical issues you face in providing a response.

How would you respond to the enquiry?

Explain your response.