The string of high-profile sexual misconduct allegations has not been limited to the entertainment and media industries. Columbia University has now lost two professors to accusations of sexual misconduct and harassment, and is one of many universities across the nation that have undergone intense investigations into harassment by school officials and faculty.
Thomas Roma, who served as the director of Columbia’s photography program for nearly 22 years, resigned after five women accused him of sexual harassment.
According to reports in the New York Times, the university had actually investigated the allegations when they were originally made more than 15 years ago. In at least one case, the school found both the victim and Roma were responsible for the incident.
Patterns of harassment, misconduct at universities
This latest incident is part of a larger national pattern of sexual misconduct by university officials and faculty.
Elsewhere, Todd Heatherton resigned as a visiting scholar at New York University after investigations revealed sexual misconduct during his days as a psychology professor at Dartmouth College. Norman Pattiz, who served on the University of California Board of Regents, announced his resignation over revelations that he sexually harassed an employee of his radio company.
In another case, a report by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student paper, Media Milwaukee, found that 37 faculty and staff at the school have been accused of sexual harassment or assault since 2013. Investigations revealed violations in 11 of those cases, with two still pending.
Victims of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace have the right to speak up and hold guilty parties accountable. For further guidance on your legal options as a victim of workplace harassment, speak with an experienced Dallas attorney at Whistleblower Law for Managers.
