Allegations of sexual misconduct : teachers have been reassigned to Concordia

News 13 January, 2018
  • Vincent Larin

    Friday, 12 January, 2018 22:09

    UPDATE
    Friday, 12 January, 2018 22:09

    Look at this article

    Concordia University has reassigned the classes of some teachers pending the completion of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, has reported a student association Friday.

    “For the moment, the courses taught by the teachers named in the line have been reassigned during the investigation,” wrote the Association of students of the English department of Concordia University (CASE) in a press release circulated on Friday.

    The Association goes on to say that the books written by the members of the faculty who are involved in the investigation have been removed from a display in the Webster library and as an external third party conducts an investigation.

    The identity of the teachers involved has not been disclosed.

    Power relationships unhealthy

    On Thursday, The Newspaper had talked with three former students of Concordia who corroborated the allegations of sexual misconduct affecting several professors in the creative writing program. Concordia announced on Wednesday that it would investigate these allegations.

    “We meet this week, members of the student body, faculty and staff of the creative writing program,” said the rector of Concordia, Alan Shepard.

    The institution was reacting to an essay published in a blog on Monday by a writer who describes the power relationships unhealthy between students and teachers that had sexual relations.

    A spokesman of the university refused to confirm the information obtained by CTV as what the two professors were targeted by this measure.

    “For reasons of confidentiality, we cannot comment on specific allegations regarding our staff or our students,” said Mary-Jo Barr, adding that the university was taking these issues ” very seriously “.

    The BOX has not responded to interview requests made by The Newspaper through the social networks.