Two senior students at Fordham University publicly warned classmates about longstanding harassment allegations against associate philosophy professor William Jaworski, resulting in a university investigation and disciplinary charges against the students.
Jaworski had been the subject of numerous formal and informal complaints over more than a decade, with substantiated cases involving sexual harassment and unprofessional conduct. In January, before classes began, seniors Samantha Norman and Eliza Putnam informed students in two of Jaworski’s Philosophical Ethics classes about his history and urged caution. Following this, the university accused the students of dishonesty, disorderly conduct, and verbal harassment, ultimately upholding the dishonesty charge.
Fordham placed Jaworski on paid suspension through the end of the fall semester, citing violations of the university’s code of conduct and the impact on female students’ sense of safety. Jaworski denied the allegations, with his legal counsel attributing the accusations to opposition against his traditional views on sexuality and morality.
Kent Y. Hirozawa of Gladstein, Reif & Meginniss, LLP, the attorney representing the students, criticized the university’s response as an effort to suppress the students’ attempts to break a culture of silence around sexual abuse. He characterized the students’ actions as courageous and necessary to protect future victims.
The students expressed frustration over being disciplined for raising awareness but remained committed to their decision.