Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
UCLA Students Protest Light Punishment For Prof Accused Of Sexual Harassment
UCLA students and staff rallied today against the university's handling of a sexual harassment case against one of the school's history professors. Gabriel Piterberg, a history professor at UCLA, was accused by two grad students, Nefertiti Takla and Kristen Hillaire Glasgow, of allegedly making inappropriate comments to them, pressing his body against theirs, and trying to force his tongue into their mouths. The women filed a suit against UCLA regents in June of 2015, claiming in their suit that they were encouraged by university officials to stay quiet about their allegations, and that there were other allegations against Piterberg that were ignored.
The alleged abuse occurred between 2008 and 2013 with Glasgow, and between 2011 and 2013 with Takla, according to the complaint. Takla told university officials in June of 2013. A quiet nine-month investigation into Piterberg's alleged behavior concluded in 2014. However, Takla said in the suit that she wasn't aware of what the results of that investigation were. Faculty didn't find out the end results until near a year later, according to the L.A. Times.
After the investigation, Piterberg was required to pay a $3,000 fine, was suspended without pay for a quarter and attended mandatory sexual harassment training. That suspension coincided with Piterberg's fellowship at the European University Institute in Italy, which some have argued made the suspension less severe.
Piterberg is currently on sabbatical in Europe, and won't be back on campus until the summer. Then, he may only have private meetings with students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and he must leave the door open. He is also not allowed to entertain any "romantic" relationships with students, but that's not unique to him—that's already standard policy for any professor. If there are further allegations, the settlement states that they will be investigated via an expedited disciplinary process. He is also no longer the director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies.
Support for LAist comes from
A recent editorial in the Daily Bruin accuses the school of failing to adequately punish Piterberg.
This outcome is an embarrassment for UCLA. Not only does this represent a huge step backward and a betrayal of students’ trust, but it displays a startlingly low standard when it comes to treatment of sexual assault suspects.
Students rallied the university's handling of the allegations today.
UCLA students and student workers union join together in protest of history professor Gabriel Piterberg's return pic.twitter.com/Jp0QiottP8
— Annita K. (@caketwitty) March 2, 2016
The women's attorney, Michael Porcello, believes the school should "cut its ties" to Piterberg, saying that his presence is an "ongoing threat to those students and faculty given past complaints of harassment against him by members of the UCLA community."
A total of 28 history faculty members wrote a letter to UCLA Chancellor Gene Block that was delivered on February 18, opposing Piterberg's return to campus. Additionally, over 65 graduate students sent a letter saying the investigation should have been more transparent.
UCLA spokesperson Ricardo Vasquez said officials have hired a new Title IX coordinator, more staff—including a confidential advocate for victims of sexual harassment or assault—and are working on creating a new office of equity, diversity and inclusion.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzOTZweCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist