Memorial University orders sexual harassment probe at med school

Memorial University is calling in an outside investigator amid allegations of sexual harassment at its medical school.

“There have been several concerns raised about the faculty of medicine’s learning environment that are extremely troubling to me as dean,” Margaret Steele, the dean of medicine, said in a letter to faculty. “These concerns have included allegations of bullying, intimidation, harassment and sexual harassment.”

A spokesman for the St. John’s, N.L., school wouldn’t elaborate on the nature of the allegations but said the university’s president had agreed to Steele’s request for an outside investigator.

“Dr. Steele learned of the allegations earlier this month and immediately and proactively contacted the Sexual Harassment Office,” said spokesman David Sorensen. “As per the provisions of the sexual harassment and sexual assault policy, a request was made for a unit assessment of the faculty of medicine.”

Steele’s letter, sent last week, outlined concerns that had “come to my attention.”

“I contacted the sexual harassment advisor, Rhonda Shortall, indicating the incidents and concerns raised may be of a sexual nature and may constitute sexual harassment under the sexual harassment and sexual assault policy.”

Steele’s revelations come as the faculty faces scrutiny by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The college issued a notice of intent last spring to withdraw accreditation over allegations of intimidation involving faculty and students.