This story was published by the Valley News on July 17.
HANOVER — A third Dartmouth College professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences has left his job rather than be fired following a sexual misconduct inquiry.
Professor William M. Kelley resigned, effective immediately, in the face of a recommendation by Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Elizabeth Smith to revoke his tenure and fire him, according to an email to the Dartmouth community this morning from college President Phil Hanlon.
Former professor Paul Whalen resigned and former professor Todd Heatherton retired last month following similar recommendations by Smith.
In his email, Hanlon said Dartmouth made no severance payment to Kelley, nor did it enter into a nondisclosure agreement. That was also the case with the other two professors.
Kelley, who had been on paid leave since last fall, is prohibited from entering campus property or from attending any Dartmouth-sponsored events.
Hanlon said “Dartmouth continues to cooperate with law enforcement officials on their separate investigation into these allegations.”
Dartmouth had placed the three professors on paid leave in October amid allegations of “serious misconduct.” The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office then opened a criminal investigation because at least some of the allegations involved potential “sexual misconduct.” That probe is continuing, officials have said.
“I would like to reiterate that sexual misconduct and harassment have no place at Dartmouth. We will investigate all allegations fairly and impartially and hold accountable any community members found to have violated our policies or standards. Dartmouth’s sexual respect website offers assistance and resources to those in need. Please do not hesitate to seek help,” Hanlon said in his email.
Posted at 11:15 a.m. Updated at 11:40 a.m. See Wednesday’s Valley News for a full report.
