Three female students accused Harvard professors of sexual harassment, and 90 academic leaders joined forces to support him

This year, the "lace news" of American colleges and universities is endless, and two university presidents have lost their jobs because of "scandals". Last month, Mark Schlissel, the president of the University of Michigan, was removed from the school for improper relationships with female subordinates. He is the first president of the University of Michigan to be removed in nearly 100 years, and the school is also ruthless, directly publishing 118 pages of chat records of him using work email to "flirt" with subordinates on the school website, many of which are explicit and eye-catching.

In contrast, the resignation of Mark Rosenberg, president of Florida International University, is much more decent. After being reported by a colleague, he immediately resigned on the grounds of health problems. The paper bag could not hold the fire, but he publicly admitted that his behavior towards his colleagues in the workplace was one of the reasons for his resignation. He issued a statement saying: "I have inadvertently created an emotional (not physical) entanglement and I have apologised... I (willingly) take full responsibility and regret my actions. ”

The former principal's approach was relatively clever, and it seemed that the so-called "uncomfortable important colleague" did not continue to expose or hold him accountable. Mark Rosenberg also mentioned that his wife suffers from advanced dementia and multiple sclerosis, which has recently worsened, affecting his mental health. After resigning, he planned to take care of his wife wholeheartedly.

Both principals, named Mark, have spent 7 years in Michigan and the other for 13 years at Florida International University. Perhaps they did not expect that in the "late stage" of their careers, they did not win a "successful retirement", but instead "fled into the wilderness". American society has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace, but there are many different views on how to judge harassment behavior.

Yesterday (Tuesday, February 8), a number of US media reported on the "scandal" of Harvard University, and three female students sued Harvard for ignoring the professor's sexual harassment behavior. The alleged professor is John L. Comaroff, a professor of anthropology at Harvard's College of Arts and Sciences, who the plaintiffs allege that Harvard ignored Dr. Komarov's allegations of years of sexually harassing students. The university's neglect is tantamount to allowing Dr. Marov's improper behavior, and they point out that Dr. Marov has intimidated and threatened students.

Lilia Kilburn, a graduate student at Harvard University, told The New York Times as one of the plaintiffs that on the first day of school she rode her bike to the school's advisor's office, and Dr. Komarov praised her helmet, the first time she'd seen the highly respected anthropology professor, but she instinctively felt some discomfort. During a later campus visit, the professor kissed her (this is a bit unclear, because it is in a public place, which can be understood as a kiss similar to greeting). Because the professor's behavior made her uncomfortable, she also deliberately told the professor that she planned to travel with her female partner during the summer vacation, implying that the professor liked women.

At the heart of the prosecution was professor Komarov, who studies South African culture, who mentioned the topic of "rape" in a conversation with Lilia. The professor said she would suffer "corrective sexual rape" or even be killed if she were found in a lesbian relationship in some parts of Africa. Lilia said the professor was not making academic observations during normal office hours, but was saying the phrase in a "pleasurable tone."

After numerous reports by students and protests, the university announced on Jan. 20 that John Komarov had violated Harvard's sexual and professional behavior policy. Claudine Guy, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, announced that Professor Komarov was barred from teaching compulsory courses the following academic year. Note that he was not expelled, and this sanction would amount to leaving Professor Marov on unpaid leave.

Dr Komarov's lawyer disputed the allegations of "sexual harassment", saying: "Professor Komarov categorically denies ever harassing or retaliating against any student. He didn't kiss or touch schoolgirls inappropriately, and in addition, comments on the topic of rape were his advice to stay safe when traveling with same-sex couples in a certain part of Africa where homosexuality is criminalized. At the same time, lawyers questioned the logic of school sanctions. According to information released by the school, the investigation "found that his motive was solely out of concern for Ms. Kilburn's well-being, with no romantic or sexual intent, but the recommendation still constituted sexual harassment." "Professor Komarov therefore strongly rejects this conclusion, which would weaken the ability of faculty and staff to use best academic judgment to advise students on fundamental safety issues."

The controversy surrounding John Komarov has created disagreements within Harvard and even at other colleges and universities. Days before the lawsuit, 38 Harvard professors publicly signed their support for John Komarov, mostly tenured faculty, including a former Dean of Harvard College and five university professors with Harvard's highest faculty honors. In their open letter, they expressed their high affirmation of John Komarov's personal character:

"We signatories know that John Komarov is an excellent colleague, advisor and loyal university citizen who has provided training and advice to hundreds of PhDs over the past 5 years. Including students from diverse backgrounds, they subsequently became leaders in universities around the world... We are frustrated by Harvard's sanctions and worry that it will affect our ability to advise our own students. ”

More than 90 academics from other universities around the globe signed open letters defending Dr. Komarov's character. Signatories include the renowned scholar Paul Farmer, a physician and anthropologist known for his rescue efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, as well as several "bigwigs" in American academia, historians, anthropologists, Shakespearean scholars, and more. Their main point is that Dr. Komarov's discussion of rape is based on facts, a reasonable warning about the safety conditions in the area where the student is about to work.

The dean of Harvard College of Arts and Sciences emailed Dr. Komarov's supporters that they might draw hasty conclusions without knowing his full range of behavior. The plaintiffs' lawyers argued that these open letters proved that Dr. Komarov did have strong connections and could fully influence the students' academic careers. It is reported that the plaintiffs also contacted some anonymous whistleblowers, alleging that Dr. Komarov also had improper behavior while working at the University of Chicago.

Was John Komarov a scholar of high character or a professor who violated his students?

Hopefully, with more information, you will see the truth!

Sources:

New York Times: A Lawsuit Accuses Harvard of Ignoring Sexual Harassment by a Professor

USNews:Lawsuit Accuses Harvard of Ignoring Sexual Harassment by Professor

The Hill:Harvard accused of ignoring sexual harassment in new suit

The Harvard Crimson: 38 Harvard Faculty Sign Open Letter Questioning Results of Misconduct Investigations into Prof. John Comaroff

The Chronicle of Higher Education:Harvard Professor Is Put on Unpaid Leave After University Finds He Violated Sex-Harassment Rules