(This story was first published in the Valley News on Nov. 21, 2017.)
[H]ANOVER — Fifteen Dartmouth College students have released an anonymous statement accusing three professors involved in a sexual misconduct investigation of creating a hostile work environment at the school.
Psychology professors Bill Kelley, Todd Heatherton and Paul Whalen “created a hostile academic environment in which sexual harassment is normalized,” the group of undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctorate scholars said in a statement published in Saturday’s edition of The Dartmouth, a student newspaper.
The Dartmouth spoke with a handful of the students directly, all on condition of anonymity, who said that the professors frequently encouraged their students to socialize and drink during off-hours.
One student recounted an incident where one of the professors, whose name wasn’t given, allegedly put his arm around her and then slid it down toward her waist.
The students declined to detail other specific allegations of misconduct, saying they didn’t want to prejudice ongoing investigations.
Both the college and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office have launched inquiries.
“We sincerely appreciate hearing from this group and we encourage anyone with additional information about the allegations to reach out to us, the New Hampshire State Police, or the Attorney General’s Office,” college spokeswoman Diana Lawrence said in an email on Monday. “At the heart of our ongoing investigations is an extensive fact-finding process led by an experienced external investigator. As President (Phil) Hanlon indicated in his recent email to the community, we are determined to complete thorough and comprehensive investigations.”
Julie Moore, a Wellesley, Mass.-based attorney for Heatherton, said on Monday that the scholar “rarely has socialized with students” and the other two professors, “other than at work-related events.”
“He has also never made his mentorship with students or post-docs contingent on socializing,” Moore said. “Professor Heatherton strongly supports the rights of all students and staff to study and work in an environment free of sexual harassment and discrimination.”