Another Iowa Professor Commits Suicide
Reader Comments
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.
College Campus Suicide Prevention
These recent tragedies at the University of Iowa underscore the need for better suicide prevention efforts on college campuses. We can all play a valuable role in suicide prevention on campus.
Please consider joining "College Campus Suicide Prevention," the Facebook cause page of the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA):
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/9605?m=454a9415
Guiilty until proven innocent is right
Both of these professors would have had their careers ruined in the academic world just by the allegations and nothing else. To some people, death would be a better option than having a career ruined by inuendo.
By citing and agreeing with "Guilty until proven innocent", Academia looks down their noses at sexual predetors guilty or not. I'm am sure that their priest couldn't get a parish in Antartica right now. My favorite priest as a kid was accused of a mere affair with a woman of well past legal age and his career as priest was ruined by the accusation. The church lost a great priest and better man by his leaving the preisthood. He did marry and is now a theologian at a small Lutheran college.
Guilty until proven innocent
"Why would they kill themselves if they weren't true??"
Because these days people treat you as guilty before you even have a chance to defend yourself. Your stature and dignity is already torn down and no one treats you the same regardless of verdicts. No one remembers acquittals, just accusations.
I know a priest who got caught up in the frenzy of molestation charges, and even though he was found to be innocent of any wrong-doing he was not allowed to return to his parish because of public sentiment. My sister-in-law still worries about her kids around him even though she has known him on a very personal level for the past 15-20 years.
He still struggles internally with his situation, though he's come a long way and seems much more jovial these days, but it doesn't surprise me that some people wouldn't be able to handle the scrutiny and resort to suicide.
The point is people are judgmental by nature and it's exceptionally hard to wipe mud off your sleeve, even if someone just threw it at you.
you moron
Why would they kill themselves if they weren't true??
These allegations better
be true. I'd be sick if these students accused these professors of something in which the facts weren't 100% above reproach.
