Harassment investigation of USC professor dismissed
The College of Southern California dismissed a harassment case that was filed final fall in opposition to tenured Jewish professor John Strauss after he engaged in an altercation with pro-Palestinian protesters, the Los Angeles Instances reported.
The case unfolded throughout campus protests final November, when Strauss bought right into a heated dialogue with college students expressing their assist for Palestinians. He expressed his view that Hamas terrorists needs to be killed, saying “Hamas are murderers. That’s all they’re … Everybody needs to be killed, and I hope all of them are killed.” Activists shared a shortened model of the video clip on social media, but it surely lacked context and made it seem as if Strauss had been calling for the dying of all Palestinians.
The clip went viral and Strauss was quickly barred from campus.
After the case made nationwide information, USC rapidly allowed Strauss to return to campus however he underwent a prolonged discrimination and harassment investigation in accordance with complaints filed by the coed protesters. Now, USC has dismissed the complaints and closed the case.
“I’m relieved,” Strauss instructed the L.A. Instances. “So far as I’m involved, I’ve been totally exonerated they usually’re not doing something to punish me, and it’s over.”
“I hope this consequence will function a reminder to universities throughout the nation that professors have a proper to free speech each inside and outdoors the classroom,” Strauss added. “I’m deeply relieved to place this case behind me.”
The Educational Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit school advocacy group, first introduced the dismissal. When requested for verification, a college spokesperson declined to remark, saying that might violate its investigation insurance policies.
“USC takes allegations of harassment and discrimination significantly,” the assertion learn. “We’re unable to debate any particular person instances due to the confidential nature of personnel issues.”
