Harvard Resolves Lawsuit with Settlement Over Allegations Against South African-Born Professor

Harvard University has come to a confidential settlement with three graduate students in a lawsuit that brought significant national attention to issues of sexual harassment within academic settings. The case involved accusations against retired South African-born Professor John Comaroff, whose alleged misconduct and retaliation impacted the academic and professional lives of the students.

Margaret Czerwienski, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava, the plaintiffs in this lawsuit, charged that for years John Comaroff engaged in inappropriate behavior, including kissing and groping students against their will. Furthermore, they claimed he utilized his position to threaten their future careers if they intended to report his actions. This lawsuit echoes the concerns elevated by the #MeToo movement regarding the power dynamics that often protect those accused of sexual harassment.

The lawsuit entailed harrowing descriptions of Comaroff's conduct, including an instance where he allegedly forcibly kissed Kilburn and groped her in public. He purportedly also intimidated the students with graphic descriptions of violence, further contributing to a hostile academic environment.

Despite previously rejecting Harvard's attempts to dismiss the case, the parties involved have now reached a settlement after engaging in months of mediation. Sanford Heisler Sharp, the law firm representing the plaintiffs, expressed pride in their clients' bravery and hoped that this resolution would allow them to progress in their careers without the shadow of these events.

The settlement details remain undisclosed, maintaining the privacy of the outcomes navigated through the mediation process. Comaroff had previously denied all allegations, labeling them as "fact-free" on his personal website. He also lamented the campus activism that led to his ostracization prior to his retirement earlier this year.

Harvard’s response or lack thereof, as cited in the lawsuit, placed them under scrutiny for alleged violations of Title IX and Massachusetts laws. The case highlighted the responsibilities of educational institutions in dealing with harassment allegations, especially those involving potential abuse of power by faculty members. The institution's role in the required protections under Title IX has become a focal point in discussions on college campuses nationwide.

After the internal Harvard investigations found that Comaroff's verbal conduct had infringed upon professional conduct and sexual harassment policies, the lawsuit took the narrative further by exposing the extensive nature of the accusations. The resolution of the case through a settlement may offer some closure to the affected parties, but it leaves the institutional and systemic challenges under a spotlight that demands ongoing attention.