A Yale University cardiologist found guilty of sexual harassment five years ago received an endowed chair this summer—an accolade Yale itself claims “is widely recognized as the most prestigious honor a university can bestow on an accomplished faculty member,” the Washington Post reports.
The physician and medical researcher in question, Michael Simons, MD, was found culpable of sexually harassing a junior researcher half a decade ago, after a Yale committee found him guilty, according to the Post. The woman eventually left the university.
Now, a petition 1,000 signatures strong has been delivered to Yale President Peter Salovey, questioning his administration’s actions.
“We are submitting this letter to voice our disgust and disappointment with this decision,” the letter, signed by faculty members, alumni, medical trainees and current students, read. “Yale should be a leader in preventing harassment and addressing it appropriately when it happens, rather than cultivating an environment in which it flourishes.”
Claire Bowern, a linguistics professor and chair of the Yale Women Faculty Forum, told the Post this case is one that sheds light on how sexual misconduct can leave persisting wounds—especially on college campuses, where the accused might have tenure.
“On the one hand, we send a message that we are serious about sexual misconduct in the abstract, and yet we continue to reward individuals who have been found in violation of our misconduct policies,” she said. “It sets the appearance of a double standard.”
Read more about the case from the Post:
After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor’s in journalism, Anicka joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering cardiology. Close to her heart is long-form journalism, Pilot G-2 pens, dark chocolate and her dog Harper Lee.