As alumni of Niagara University, we are very disappointed to learn that issues we attempted to address in 2010 are recurring today. A professor at the University, continues to display inappropriate behavior in regards to his relationships with undergraduate students, despite an investigation in 2010 when he was placed on temporary leave based on multiple serious allegations. We anticipated that he would be dismissed in 2010, but the University mishandled our case, allowing him to take a paid sabbatical and return the following year. As we graduated and moved on from Niagara University, we did not see the need to follow up with this case. Since then, we have learned that the behavior is still continuing today, and that despite efforts by other faculty members on campus, the administration is not doing enough to protect its students.

In 2010, we reported several incidents that happened to us, including, but not limited to:

1. Inappropriate comments:

• “Your shirt is low cut, so you will get a good grade.”
• “I had a dream about you last night, I was spooning you from behind.”
• Discussing how a female student’s “ass” looked in the clothes she was wearing on that particular day.
• A student working in his lab was trying to use the microscope with a camera on it to take a picture but couldn’t focus the camera, so she asked for help from the professor.  However, he was busy watching a movie with another female student in his office (which had a couch and projector for watching movies). After struggling for an hour, and asking him again for help, he called the student "retarded" for not being able to figure out how to use the microscope. 

2. Abuse of Power

• Threatening students working in his lab regarding their futures by saying “you will never be able to get into grad school without my recommendation.”
• Belittling students working in his lab by constantly telling them they are not good enough/too stupid.
• Taking students off research projects that they have been working on for months or even years with no explanation other than he likes another student better and would prefer for her to work on the project.
• After he was placed on leave, he was still in his laboratory, even though students were told he wouldn’t be. One of the students, who clearly had her anonymity compromised, was approached by the professor and berated with comments including “I know you are the one who made up lies about me, nobody else would do that.” The University did not protect her and she did not feel safe in this environment.
• Telling a student, who worked on a genetics research project “you are not smart enough to get a PhD in genetics."
• Telling a student who chose not to pursue a PhD in the sciences, but study pharmacy in graduate school “you are taking the easy way out.”
• Cornering a student in the hallway and stating “you have fallen out of my favor but if you work really hard, you could win it back.”

 3. Inappropriate relationships with students:

• Keeping folders with pictures of students that he downloaded from facebook and other social networks on his desktop.
• Posting pictures of students with inappropriate comments to his own personal Instagram account without permission.
•  Entering into sexual relationships with students.
• Bullying students into going to the gym or on runs with him by insinuating they need to get into shape.
• Attempts to communicate outside of a professional atmosphere (i.e. facebook, social media).
• Inappropriate touching of students, including pinching their stomachs, putting his arms around them, etc.

4. Inappropriate behavior in classes:

• Recording lectures but turning off the recording device at certain points in order to make inappropriate comments.
• Discussing his own sperm in class.
• Use of inappropriate language.

We have been informed that these recognizable behaviors are still taking place today. We urge the University to fully investigate these claims, which have been reported again, just this summer.  Several of us are still disturbed by his behavior, and some of us even left the field of science because of him. His behavior and abuse of power have made it difficult for many alumni to obtain a viable reference in furthering their education or advancement of their career. It is unfair for students to have to deal with this abuse from an individual meant to be a progressive navigator in a notable and successful University.

Many students stopped studying biology strictly because of his behavior, especially in his introductory courses- those just beginning their career in the sciences. This man should not be in contact with young, impressionable students, just getting their starts in life. He is not the face we need representing a reputable department of Niagara University. It is deeply upsetting that even though this has been brought to administrative attention, he is still in the classroom, and female students receive no warning of potential abuse and harassment. This unconscionable permission of behavior is as much the University’s fault as it is his. It is time to reevaluate his necessity to the department and his future with Niagara University.

In addition to requesting that the University keep this professor out of the classroom, we want to warn all female students not to take any of his classes, so they are not subjected to the abuse that so many other female students have endured.  If you want to study biology, we urge you to choose a different University – one that does not leave someone like this in a position to continuously harm its students.  The administration at Niagara University knows the harm he has done, but still values putting him in a classroom over the safety and well-being of its students.

The lack of protection and safety for female students has become a recurring theme at the University. When Ms. Carrie McLaughlin, former dean of students at Niagara University, mishandled several rape allegations, it took student action, in the form of an online petition, for the administration to address these allegations. Unfortunately, we think this will be the case with him as well.

Fellow alumni and current students- we would like to encourage you to comment on this petition with your own personal experiences with this professor or the lack of protection of your safety in general at Niagara University. If you are thinking about attending Niagara University or taking a course with this professor, we implore you to reconsider.