Bernardo said Tuesday that he believes he was selected as dean in 2018 because he was seen as the best fit to improve the culture and climate at the UCLA Anderson School of Management – two pillars that were identified as obstacles to the school’s excellence in the 2013-2014 departmental review. Bernardo added that he believes he has been able to improve these two areas at the School of Management throughout his tenure.

Bernardo said he found Klein’s email to be “completely lacking in empathy,” adding that his own email to the School of Management community June 2 was necessary at a time when the institution’s values were being questioned. However, he also said he believes Klein “had every right to say no” and that he himself would have said the same.

Bernardo added that his knowledge of Klein’s employment as an expert witness was limited to a single conversation from over 10 years ago.

(Zimo Li/Daily Bruin senior staff)