According to foreign media reports, three Harvard female graduates sued their alma mater because Harvard officials ignored their allegations of sexual harassment of a professor for many years.
Lilia Kilburn, a graduate, said in the lawsuit that John Comaroff, a professor of anthropology and African American studies, kissed and touched her several times.
In addition, Konmarov was accused of cutting Off Coleborne from other professors and preventing her from getting her degree.
Margaret Czerwienski and Amulya Mandava, also graduates of Harvard, also filed a lawsuit against Harvard University in Boston Federal Court. According to the New York Times, they said the professor had threatened their academic careers with a secret.
Harvard's actions after receiving the complaint replied: Students should shut up. That's the price to pay for getting a degree," said Russell Kornblith. Kernblis is a lawyer at the Women's Law Firm of Sanford Heisler Sharp.
Professor Kamalov was not listed as a defendant in the case, but his lawyers said he "absolutely denied ever harassing or retaliating against any of his students". As far as Colborne's allegations are concerned, "Professor Conmarov did not at any time improperly kiss her or touch her." ”
All three plaintiffs filed a complaint with Harvard's Office of Dispute Resolution in July 2020, alleging that Harvard violated Section IX of federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education.
Harvard University has found that Conmarov has targeted harassment and speech that violates professional codes of conduct. But at the moment, there is no clear whether Kamalov is responsible for improper physical or sexual acts.
The incident sparked disagreement among Harvard's academic ranks. Ninety academics signed the open letter expressing confidence in the character of their colleagues. But another 50 people signed another open letter arguing that those aforementioned were too eager to support Konmarov.
For now, Harvard university has put Konmarov on administrative leave this spring semester.
Nine Pai News Intern Reporter Yuan Jiabei