Washburn University January 25, 2017
Volume 145, Issue 15
News 1-10
Features 11-14
Sports 15-16
washburnreview.org
New Content Online Daily
Professor resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations
WASHBURN REVIEW
Facing an alleged investigation into a formally filed report of sexual exploitation of a female student, John Paul, professor of sociology, resigned from his position as a teacher at Washburn University following the completion of the Fall 2016 semester. Patrick Early of University Relations gave this statement on behalf of Washburn: “[Dr. Paul] was employed by the university from August 2003 until December 2016 as a professor of sociology,” Early said. “Dr. Paul resigned from his position and information about him was subsequently removed from the university directory and website as per our normal practice. The university’s policy is to not discuss personnel matters involving any university employee so there isn’t anything further that I can share about that.” The allegations that Paul had been sexually inappropriate with a female student became public knowledge following a Nov. 30 confrontation in a classroom between him and anthropology professor, Sharla Blank. Paul informed witnessing students about the allegations and said they were not true. In light of the report being filed, a former student of Paul’s, who took multiple courses with him and whom he served as an academic advisor for, has come forward with an account of a sexual relationship with Paul which allegedly began and continued while she was enrolled in courses with him. The student believes that she is one of multiple students Paul has engaged with throughout his career, and fears he may continue to engage
Of 2,000 students • 14 percent said they had had inappropriate relations with a professor. • Of those 14 percent, 45.5 percent reported that the encounters were initiated by the teacher or faculty member, while 33.45 percent said the student initiated it. Only 3.6 percent said they engaged in the encounter for better grades.
Sources found at collegestats.org
in sexual relationships with students if hired at another university. She initially consented to the relationship, but found this consent was given under false pretenses upon being made aware Paul had additional partners throughout their relationship. This student has been kept anonymous for her safety. The student detailed the beginning of the relationship, when Paul met with her for academic advising just before the end of a semester. The student said that Paul proposed a directed readings class over the break, in which the student would meet with Paul at his home. In looking back at this meeting, the student said Paul used his position as an academic advisor to set up a scenario where the student would see him in private at his residence. “He gave me his phone num-
Inforgraphic by Cody Dannar
ber, his personal number, in that to do would be to keep it a semeeting,” the student said. “The cret, because while there’s no reason cited was that because I policy about student-professor was going to be doing a direct- relationships on campus, they’re ed readings course with him, generally frowned upon.” but was fulfill- ing all of the In correspondence on Jan. coursework for 11, Early gave the class over a statement winter break, he on behalf of I w o r r y t h a t what’s wanted me to happened at Washburn Washburn that have immediate won’t affect his teaching included the access to him. faculty handFrom there, record, and he can ab- book outlines through texting, solutely perpetuate these for what would we scheduled kinds of abuses in other warrant discimeetings at his universities. plinary action, home, to talk but there was about my homework.” no policy specifically covering A sexual relationship be- sexual relations between faculgan during these meetings, and ty and students. The statement Paul requested that it remained also specified policy on a faculhidden to avoid repercussions ty member’s right to appeal inagainst the student. vestigation rulings if that faculty “I just wasn’t sure what the member resigns. policies were,” the student said. “The reasons for major dis“He told me that the best thing ciplinary action involving a
“
“
Mark Feuerborn
faculty or staff member are noted in the university bylaws as ‘demonstrated incompetence or dishonesty in teaching or research, substantial and manifest neglect of duty, personal conduct which substantially impairs the individual’s fulfillment of his/her university responsibilities, engaging in or substantially contributing to actions materially disruptive to the effective operations of the university, substantial falsification of credentials, or violation of other faculty, staff, or student’s civil rights,’” Early said. “In the case of full time faculty, there is a right of appeal to a five-member faculty appeals board with the final decision being made by the Board of Regents. Someone who resigns from the university has waived that right of appeal.” However, in the Jan. 23 email where Early confirmed Paul’s resignation, he specified policy on sexual relations between faculty and students. “As a general principle – I can tell you that an inappropriate relationship with a student would be a violation of the faculty and staff code of conduct and would be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal,” Early said. Beyond policy, the student also said Paul implied that discovery of their relationship would negatively impact her academic career. “He said that given that I’d taken so many classes with him, that if anyone found out about us, that it would cause all of this scrutiny to befall my grades, and I could potentially have my degrees revoked,” the student said. “At one point, he said that even if people did find out, they may not believe [me] anyway.” RESIGN: continued on page 4