University Student Accuses Professor Of Sexual Harassment, Blames School Authorities For Not Doing Anything Despite Pending Cases of Misconduct Against Him


Nicole Hemenway, 24, is the latest in a string of women to seek legal action against a male faculty member at a prominent northern California university, broadening a scandal that has hit the campus over the past year and sparking off a national debate over discrimination and sexism in the academic field.

As the Guardian reports, Hemenway, in an interview, described how sexual advances from Professor Blake Wentworth adversely affected her studies and how the school put her in harm’s way, assigning the allegedly lascivious professor to supervise her independent thesis despite the fact that there were pending sexual allegations against him.

Hemenway said she felt it was right to speak up so as to have the University of California stand up to its responsibilities of protecting students from harassment and providing relief for victims who come forward. Hemenway admits that she might be throwing her educational and career prospects away, because Wentworth is well known in the circles of South-Asian studies. Wentworth allegedly harassed a student last October and was not penalized. Eight months later, the professor is being accused again.

Hemenway said she was leaving a class on November 21, 2014, when Professor Wentworth called aside and asked if they could share a few words. According to her, the professor walked her into an isolated area of the Berkeley campus and, in tears, allegedly confessed to the undergraduate senior that some students had complained about his conduct, asking Hemenway not to report anything because it could cost him his job.

Hemenway revealed in prior discussions the professor had referred to her as a “gorgeous woman” and said other colleagues were jealous of him because he always had beautiful women in his office and that she was a target for sexual harassment.

“It just made my skin crawl … imagining a middle-aged white man talking about how beautiful and tempting I was in an office.”

Hemenway’s complaint with the California department of fair employment and housing as well as detailed emails portray a picture of a professor who behaved unprofessionally and inappropriately with a student he was meant to be mentoring. The sexual harassment made it impossible for the undergraduate to focus on her academic studies.

The alleged misconduct of the professor is similar to two other formal complaints lodged against him, where the students complained about inappropriate sexual comments and being touched as well. In its argument, the university stated that out of 19 employees that were found guilty of discrimination and harassment, 11 of them were duly relieved of their posts. Coincidentally, no faculty members were sacked, including Wentworth, a professor in the department of south and south-east Asian studies.

Hemenway revealed that the professor was always initiating personal conversations with her, including discussions about sexual harassment. Emails reveal that the professor asked for a walk in the woods and a car ride. He also sent her intimate messages about his feelings for her. Hemenway said the professor also forwarded email conversations about his prior sexual misconduct, mocking the allegations.

In one email, Wentworth wrote, “I want to find out who’s spreading this rumor, and grind their f*****g nuts into powder before I distribute it into communal meals for his family.” He also referred consistently to Hemenway as his “shining star” and “honey bear.” The professor allegedly said that he would want to pursue a relationship with her, as soon as she graduated. At that time, she wanted to speak out but was afraid because the professor was liable for her letters of recommendation and was advising her on her thesis. Hemenway now admits it is a real possibility that she will no longer be able to pursue her studies.

[Image via Shutterstock/AN NGUYEN]

Share this article: University Student Accuses Professor Of Sexual Harassment, Blames School Authorities For Not Doing Anything Despite Pending Cases of Misconduct Against Him
More from Inquisitr