San Jose State professor accused of sex harassment
SAN JOSE (KTVU) -- San Jose State University is investigating claims of sexual harassment that a student levied against one of the school's faculty members last year.
Although the allegations were first made last year, the president of San Jose State University issued a letter to students, faculty and staff Tuesday after media reports about the incident came to light this week. In the letter, the president described the allegations as "troubling."
Students expressed surprise about the incident, which involved Professor Lewis Aptekar.
"I was shocked that we didn't know too much about it since it apparently happened last year," student Patricia Medrano said.
"Students deserve the right to feel comfortable and safe whether they are undergraduates, graduates, even employees," said Student David Parr. "You shouldn't have to have that hanging over your head."
According to a report by the Bay Area News Group, the education professor allegedly asked a student if she was single and made comments about wanting to date her during class last year.
Students told KTVU, Aptekar was chair of the College of Education's Counselor Education Department last year but suddenly stepped down.
In the wake of the new report the school president issued a response, that said, "We are looking into them, we will learn from them, and we will take appropriate systematic actions based on what we learn."
"Witness statements we submitted were not taken under consideration," Aptekar's attorney Elisa Stewart said. "Another witness wrote that it was a pleasure spending summer with you. These communications were submitted but not given any consideration."
Stewart said her client denies the allegations and called the investigation process flawed. Stewart said evidence refuting the student's claims weren't taken seriously, including witness statements in support of Aptekar.
This comes amid recent scandals at U.C. Berkeley of sexual harassment. The chancellor of the school stepped down last month.
"I'm surprised at all because I know it happens all the time," student Nancy Baine said. "I'm glad people are finally taking action to notify people."
"For us it really points to the pervasiveness of sexual harassment," said Tanis Crosby of Silicon Valley YWCA. "I appreciate the president is saying we want to take action. I appreciate the president is encouraging people to come forward and contact Title IX."