Sexual Harassment Topples Chancellor Zeppos

After months of public pressure to reverse the denial of tenure decision against #MeTooSTEM founder Prof. BethAnn McLaughlin, Vanderbilt University announced that Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos is stepping down, to be replaced by Interim Chancellor Susan Wente.

Media attention to Prof. McLaughlin's advocacy and firing has exploded to include international press, Nashville print and web media, and the Vanderbilt student newspaper. Prof. McLaughlin's work has caught the attention of scientific leaders at the highest level: in his apology for the National Institutes of Health's role in supporting sexual harassment, NIH Director Francis Collins called out "Dr. BethAnn McLaughlin, whose leadership of the #MeTooSTEM movement has provided a voice for victims of harassment."

Although Vanderbilt will allow Prof. McLaughlin to remain in her job until the denial of tenure appeals process is complete, the fight is far from over. Now may be the most important time to let Vanderbilt know that retaliation against those to stand up against sexual harassment must not be tolerated. Interim Chancellor Susan Wente has the opportunity to show her campus and the entire academic community that Vanderbilt values women, will not tolerate sexual harassment, and honors those who report it. Tell Susan Wente to do the right thing and let Prof. McLaughlin keep her job. Let her know that the world is watching and we will not avert our eyes. 

Interim Chancellor Susan Wente, susan.wente@vanderbilt.edu.