Three tenured professors from Dartmouth College's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences faced serious allegations of misconduct, shaking the institution's reputation to its core. Professors Todd Heatherton, Bill Kelley, and Paul Whalen were accused by several female students of unwanted touching, kissing, and sending nude photos. The students, including Andrea Courtney, Kristina Rapuano, Vassiki Chauhan, and Annemarie Brown, claimed these professors used their power to groom and manipulate them.
The accusations hinged on a toxic culture within the department. Students reported that the professors made inappropriate jokes about their physical appearance, fostering a hostile environment. They described the professors' behavior as a profound violation of trust, one that exploited their positions of authority.
An external investigation ensued, involving interviews with over 50 witnesses and a comprehensive review of documentation. The findings confirmed misconduct by the professors. However, instead of decisive action, Dartmouth allowed the professors to resign or retire, sparking outrage among the accusers who found this response inadequate.
In pursuit of justice, the students filed a lawsuit against the college, which culminated in a $14 million settlement in 2019. As part of the settlement, Dartmouth pledged $1.5 million to hire diverse faculty and support initiatives to end gender-based violence.
"Oh, I've been drinking. Like a girl like you would never have a guy like me."
— Andrea Courtney
The lawsuit uncovered a troubling culture of drinking and partying among the professors. Students felt pressured to partake in this environment to gain mentorship and advising, underscoring systemic issues of sexism and misogyny at Dartmouth.
"There is no place for sexual violence or harassment at Dartmouth. We work every day to ensure a learning and research environment that is safe, respectful, equitable, and inclusive for all students, faculty, and staff."
— Dartmouth College
The scandal's impact resonates with the students involved, who continue to advocate for change and accountability within the institution. They argue that the professors' actions were not isolated incidents but indicative of broader problems plaguing the college.
"Oh, I've been drinking. Like a girl like you would never have a guy like me.” Sending nude photos and telling me like what he wanted to do with me…”
— Kristina Rapuano
Dartmouth's response to the scandal has been scrutinized extensively. Critics argue that by permitting the professors to step down rather than face termination, the college sidestepped its responsibility to enforce meaningful consequences.
The investigation revealed that the misconduct extended beyond individual transgressions. It highlighted an entrenched culture that normalized inappropriate behavior under the guise of academic mentorship.
"When I was in the ninth grade, I got my hands on a book about theory of relativity and Einstein’s life, and how he became a scientist, and that just blew my mind."
— Vassiki Chauhan
For students like Vassiki Chauhan, who entered academia with dreams inspired by pioneers like Einstein, this scandal represented a betrayal of their aspirations. The environment they encountered fell drastically short of the ideals they had envisioned.
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