Another Iowa Professor Commits Suicide
The University of Iowa is grappling with the suicide of another professor facing accusations of sexual harassment, the Daily Iowan reports. In his closed garage, UI music professor Mark Weiger was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning Wednesday. The death comes one week after a former graduate student filed a lawsuit against Weiger and the university, alleging that he made inappropriate sexual comments toward her, verbally harassed her, and was having a sexual relationship with another student, the Press-Citizen reports. In August, political scientist Arthur Miller shot himself after being charged with four counts of accepting bribes for allegedly trading grades for sexual favors.
Iowa officials are now focused on the campus reaction, providing counseling to students and faculty.
Tags: Iowa | colleges | University of Iowa | suicide
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Allegations by students
Unfortunately, it happens more than people think. Students are not stupid. They expect to get the grades without doing the work.
I always made it a point of having a colleague nearby or leaving my door open when talking with any student regardless of their sex. I even had one female student, obviously intoxicated and who had missed the final exam, look me straight in the eye and ask if there was "anything they could do" regarding the failing grade they were going to receive. I flatly stated no and they left my office.
I immediately went to my dean's office and informed them of the situation and what had occurred. That same student made a complaint but I had covered my backside.
Student are treacherous and professors, particular males, must protect themselves.
Yet another suicide at the University of Iowa.
Having been a victim of medical malpractice at the University of Iowa, I know it's an institution that lacks any degree of accountability for its medical doctors. Its hospital plainly doesn't care about the well-being of its patients.
So I'm not surprised to learn the school doesn't care about its students either. I'm not surprised at all to see rampant sexual assaults taking place.
Disgustingly, when powerful people think they can get away with doing disgusting things they often do them. That's a truth that has to be accepted. And that's why you need basic standards and accountability.
Hopefully, the University of Iowa learns this lesson soon.
sexual harassment
As a college professor who was accused of sexual harassment, I can say that it was a shocking experience. A work-study student chose not to file music as I asked her to do. There was a witness to this encounter and the witness also heard her say "no, I won't do that work". She said the department chairwoman told her she didn't need to do that work. I said it is in your job description and I will talk with the department chair. The next thing I knew was that she had filed a sexual harassment statement against me and the department chairwoman said it was her right to do so. It was totally fabricated by the student, was done for her own reasons and seemingly was supported by the department chair. The case never went beyond the office of sexual harassment on our campus but as far as I know it is still in the file. The law is rightfully there to protect those who need it but it needs to be more protective of the rights of the accused.
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