Incidents at Ohio State University
Total: 16
Incident 8722
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Bradley Peterson
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Emeritus Professor
Discipline:
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Specific Discipline:
Astronomy and Physics
Outcome Year:
2021
Outcome Category:
Honor Revoked
Quote:
"In a separate incident, the Of????ce of Institutional Equity found Peterson, a former professor emeritus in the Department of Astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences effective July 2015, had sexually harassed four graduate students and faculty members over an extended period, according to the agenda. University spokesperson Ben Johnson said the investigation was completed Feb. 1. “In this case, an investigation by the Office of Equity found that Dr. Peterson committed sexual harassment in a manner that was persistent and pervasive,” Kristina Johnson stated in a letter within the Board of Trustees agenda. “Four courageous individuals shared stories about unwanted advances from Dr. Peterson that limited their ability to do their respective jobs.” "
Link(s):
Last updated:
Incident 8747
Status:
Resolved
Person:
René Olate
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Associate Professor
Discipline:
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Specific Discipline:
Social Work
Outcome Year:
2021
Outcome Category:
No Longer Employed (includes Fired and Contract Non-renewal)
Quote:
"Ohio State University's board of trustees has fired an associate professor following a sexual misconduct investigation."
"OIE made findings that he "violated the University's Sexual Misconduct Policy by engaging in unwelcome gender-based verbal and physical conduct that was so sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive it created a hostile educational environment with respect to two students; and conduct that constituted quid pro quo harassment with respect to a third student."
"Specifically, OIE determined that Professor Olate commented on students' physical appearances, described graphic details of sexual assault in a class lecture, commented on a student's sexuality, touched the shoulders and backs of female students, hugged and kissed one female student, and requested to have an intimate relationship with a student, who declined his advances.""
"OIE made findings that he "violated the University's Sexual Misconduct Policy by engaging in unwelcome gender-based verbal and physical conduct that was so sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive it created a hostile educational environment with respect to two students; and conduct that constituted quid pro quo harassment with respect to a third student."
"Specifically, OIE determined that Professor Olate commented on students' physical appearances, described graphic details of sexual assault in a class lecture, commented on a student's sexuality, touched the shoulders and backs of female students, hugged and kissed one female student, and requested to have an intimate relationship with a student, who declined his advances.""
Last updated:
Incident 8261
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Richard Strauss
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Professor
Discipline:
Medicine and Health Sciences, Medicine
Specific Discipline:
Medicine
Outcome Year:
2019
Outcome Category:
Honor Revoked
Quote:
Stripped of emeritus status for long standing abuse of students
Last updated:
Incident 8137
Status:
Ongoing
Person:
Role:
Position:
Discipline:
Specific Discipline:
Outcome Year:
2018
Outcome Category:
Quote:
Last updated:
Incident 8117
Status:
Ongoing
Person:
Role:
Position:
Discipline:
Specific Discipline:
Outcome Year:
2018
Outcome Category:
Quote:
Investigation ongoing for incidents 1970s-1990s
Last updated:
Incident 7484
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Stewart Kitchen
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Instructor
Discipline:
Arts and Humanities, Music
Specific Discipline:
Music, Marching Band
Outcome Year:
2016
Outcome Category:
Criminal Plea / Conviction, No Longer Employed (includes Fired and Contract Non-renewal)
Quote:
"A former Ohio State University marching band instructor accused of raping a female student apologized to his victim in court on Wednesday as he was hit with a three-year prison sentence. Stewart Kitchen, 29, will have to register as a sex offender after pleading guilty to sexual battery in Franklin County court."
Last updated:
Incident 8270
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Nate Handrahan
Role:
Coach
Position:
Hockey Coach
Discipline:
Athletics
Specific Discipline:
Hockey
Outcome Year:
2015
Outcome Category:
Resigned
Quote:
Sexual harassment of players on women's team. Resigned one day before firing.
Last updated:
Incident 7483
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Paul Craig Boardman
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Professor
Discipline:
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Specific Discipline:
Public Affairs
Outcome Year:
2015
Outcome Category:
Fine / Salary Reduction, Training / Counseling Required
Quote:
"The investigation by OSU Human Resources found that Boardman did violate the University's sexual harassment policy, and that he also engaged in retaliation against his accuser. His punishment includes no pay raises for two years, being barred from supervising new teaching assistants for two years, and mandatory sexual harassment training."
Last updated:
Incident 8272
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Jonathan Waters
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Band Director
Discipline:
Arts and Humanities, Music
Specific Discipline:
Band
Outcome Year:
2014
Outcome Category:
No Longer Employed (includes Fired and Contract Non-renewal)
Quote:
Fired after finding of environment conducive to sexual harassment
Last updated:
Incident 8290
Status:
Resolved
Person:
William Bohonyi
Role:
Coach
Position:
Diving Coach
Discipline:
Athletics
Specific Discipline:
Diving
Outcome Year:
2014
Outcome Category:
Criminal Plea / Conviction, No Longer Employed (includes Fired and Contract Non-renewal)
Quote:
Fired for relationship with student. Pled guilty to sexual battery.
Link(s):
Last updated:
Incident 7486
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Sebastian Knowles
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Department Chair, Professor
Discipline:
Arts and Humanities
Specific Discipline:
English Writing Humanities
Outcome Year:
2014
Outcome Category:
Suspended / Leave / Restrictions
Quote:
"An Ohio State University investigator found last year the then-chair of the university’s English department had “created a hostile work environment” that made female administrative staff feel “harassed and intimidated.”
"Knowles agreed on Dec. 12, 2013 to take a voluntary leave from his position as chair. He was permitted to continue teaching during the 2014 spring semester because the misconduct concerned his role as department chair, not as a professor, according to the report."
That English professor, Sebastian Knowles, is now a visiting professor at Northwestern for Spring Quarter 2015.
A series of interviews conducted by the investigator with department staff painted Knowles as “volatile” and described violations of Ohio State’s policies on sexual harassment and workplace violence. The investigator found Knowles threatened and intimidated department staff. According to the report, staff said he initiated “inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact” and made “inappropriate comments of a sexual nature” on several occasions."
"Knowles agreed on Dec. 12, 2013 to take a voluntary leave from his position as chair. He was permitted to continue teaching during the 2014 spring semester because the misconduct concerned his role as department chair, not as a professor, according to the report."
That English professor, Sebastian Knowles, is now a visiting professor at Northwestern for Spring Quarter 2015.
A series of interviews conducted by the investigator with department staff painted Knowles as “volatile” and described violations of Ohio State’s policies on sexual harassment and workplace violence. The investigator found Knowles threatened and intimidated department staff. According to the report, staff said he initiated “inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact” and made “inappropriate comments of a sexual nature” on several occasions."
Last updated:
Incident 8274
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Eddie Hollins
Role:
Coach
Position:
Assistant Cheerleading Coach
Discipline:
Athletics
Specific Discipline:
Cheerleading
Outcome Year:
2013
Outcome Category:
No Longer Employed (includes Fired and Contract Non-renewal)
Quote:
Fired after finding of sexual harassment (see also Dana Bumbrey)
Last updated:
Incident 8276
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Dana Bumbrey
Role:
Coach
Position:
Assistant Cheerleading Coach
Discipline:
Athletics
Specific Discipline:
Cheerleading
Outcome Year:
2013
Outcome Category:
No Longer Employed (includes Fired and Contract Non-renewal)
Quote:
Fired after finding of sexual harassment (see also Eddie Hollins)
Last updated:
Incident 7485
Status:
Resolved
Person:
Loren Babcock
Role:
Faculty
Position:
Professor
Discipline:
Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Geoscience
Specific Discipline:
Geoscience
Outcome Year:
2008
Outcome Category:
Other
Quote:
“Office of Human Resources issued two separate reports that contained factual findings and action steps”
Link(s):
Last updated:
Incident 9071
Status:
Ongoing
Person:
Role:
Position:
Discipline:
Specific Discipline:
Outcome Year:
Outcome Category:
Quote:
Last updated:
Incident 9088
Status:
Ongoing
Person:
Role:
Position:
Discipline:
Specific Discipline:
Outcome Year:
Outcome Category:
Quote:
Last updated: