Harassment probe leads to resignation
An Ohio University English professor accused of sexually harassing several students has resigned.
Andrew Escobedo’s resignation will be effective Nov. 1, according to a statement from university President Duane Nellis.
The resignation comes months after two students reported allegations of sexual misconduct to the Office of University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance. Investigators with that office found that the evidence supported the finding that Escobedo, 50, had sexually harassed them.
The complaints stemmed from events at an end-of-semester gathering at two Athens bars in December 2015, according to documents outlining the findings of the investigation. The women accused Escobedo of touching their bodies in a sexual manner without their consent and saying things of a sexual nature to at least one of the students. Both were enrolled in one of Escobedo’s courses at the time and said they feared that refusing his advances would hurt their grades and educational opportunities.
Following those initial complaints, additional women reported misconduct by Escobedo. One said Escobedo “inappropriately touched” her at a local bar in 2003 when she was a student enrolled in one of his classes. Another reported that Escobedo put his hand in “inappropriate places” at an Athens restaurant while she was out with friends in 2005.
The two women who reported the December 2015 misconduct also have filed a civil rights complaint in federal court in Columbus against Escobedo, Ohio University and the former chair of its English Department. The suit contends that the university was deliberately indifferent to Escobedo’s past misconduct, “fostering a safe space for sexual misconduct.” Although the university has sought to have the complaint dismissed, the case continues.
The university could use this opportunity to set an example for change in higher education, said Michael Fradin, the attorney representing the two women in the federal case.
“Although Andrew Escobedo’s departure makes the Athens campus a safer space, the university’s stubborn insistence that it holds no blame is very dangerous,” Fradin said. “As long as the university sticks with this denial, the campus will remain an unsafe space for women.”
A Faculty Senate hearing on whether to revoke Escobedo’s tenure had been scheduled to begin Sept. 1, but he has waived his right to that hearing as part of his resignation, according to Nellis’ statement.
In his statement, Nellis said the university does not typically comment on resignations, but he felt compelled to notify the community, given the university’s Equity and Civil Rights Compliance investigation.
“Brave women and other people in our community stepped forward to bring intolerable behavior to light,” Nellis said. “The healing process I envision is not one that will dim this light but rather intensify our efforts to ensure our community is a safe place to learn and work.”
Escobedo alleged that the complaints filed against him were the result of a conspiracy by several faculty members who sought to label him a “sexual predator” and get him fired, according to the memorandum outlining the findings of the university’s investigation.
In a statement given through his attorneys Monday, Escobedo said that the complaints were not fair or true, and that findings of the university’s civil rights investigation were flawed.
“Ohio University’s administration made it clear to me and my lawyers that they planned to fire me no matter what the faculty hearing determined,” he said in his statement. “Thus, I believe that my resignation is in the best interest of my family and my finances at this time, and that continuing to fight what appears to be a foregone conclusion is not.”
A university spokeswoman declined to comment beyond Nellis’ statement.