Another Iowa Professor Commits Suicide

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.

academe of MI 10:41AM July 14, 2009

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.

of 12:12PM November 18, 2008

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.

of IN 9:11AM November 18, 2008

"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.

of TX 1:27PM November 17, 2008