Harassment within Law School
On the afternoon of Oct. 31, an officer met with a student at 2500 Campus Blvd. NE in regards to a professor harassing her. She said the Office of Equal Opportunity was already conducting an investigation, but they recommended that she also speak with UNMPD. The officer reported that the student was emotional while explaining her situation.
The student said in May 2016, she began taking a summer course with a UNM Law professor when she felt his behavior towards her was becoming sexual.
She said he would speak extremely close to her face or stand so that the front of his pants were near her face while she sat. His 30-minute one-on-one sessions began extending — sometimes, nearing two hours. He once rubbed his foot against her leg under the table while sitting next to her, she said.
After the student ignored what she felt were advances, she said he began verbally chastising her during class. Although the behavior lessened for a short time after she met with him and told him he made her feel uncomfortable, he soon began to chastise her or ignore statements she made in class, she said.
During a one-on-one session, he became angry, tried slamming the door shut and angrily threw a dry erase marker, she said.
She spoke to the dean of the law school (who sat in on about five of the private sessions), because she feared that the professor may become physical with her. On July 18, the student presented a letter of grievance to the Dean’s office and to the professor. A few days later, she became physically ill before a presentation that the professor said he would attend. Due to her situation, she was late to the presentation, and the professor sent her a criticizing email.
She said the professor’s rude behavior did not end until the class ended, and she believed that all other issues would come to an end as well.
However, on Oct. 3, she felt someone was watching her when she walked to her vehicle; she saw the professor standing outside the entrance to Bratton Hall and hoped he would leave if she waited. He did not leave the area, and she chose to enter the building through a different route. After this encounter, the student said she felt he was intentionally searching for her and spoke with a SHAC counselor to discuss how the situation had made her feel upset.
The next time the student saw the professor, she hid in an administrative office. Two staff members who were aware of the situation kept her hidden there until the professor was out of sight.
The student said the professor also entered and stood in one of her classrooms for no apparent reason, making eye contact with her until she looked away. He then left the room.
The OEO is currently investigating.
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Battery on a health care worker and property damage at Children’s Psychiatric Clinic
On Nov. 2, an officer was dispatched to the Children’s Psychiatric Clinic in reference to a disorderly patient, according to a report. Upon arrival, UNMH security directed the officer to the patient, who was in restraints on a hospital bed. CPC employees said when the patient was being escorted through the building, he tore a plastic, electronic badge reader off of the wall and swung it at personnel and threw it towards an employee.
The patient bit down on an employee’s leg and kicked another employee’s wrist as CPC personnel attempted to control his behavior. The patient was placed in handcuffs and arrested for battery on a health care worker and criminal damage to property. He was booked without further incident.
Possible domestic violence at Luther House
On the evening of Nov. 4, an officer was sent to the intersection of Yale Blvd. and Las Lomas Rd. in reference to a potential domestic violence incident, according to a report. When the officer arrived, the individual who made the emergency call said a girl, who he identified as Native American, approached him earlier and appeared distressed. The caller said she exited one of the Luther House dorms at 1805 Las Lomas Rd. NE and told him her boyfriend had just choked and hurt her.
Her boyfriend, who he also thought was Native American, exited the building and confronted him. After the caller told the boyfriend he needed to leave, he saw the boyfriend walk toward Dane Smith Hall and saw the girl run towards the Duck Pond. He said the male was wearing blue jeans and a gray shirt, while the girl had brown hair, was wearing a jean jacket and was barefoot. The caller said he could no longer determine where the subjects went, but he showed the officer the dorm they exited. The caller left the scene on foot. When the officer approached the door, knocked and spoke, there was no response.
- Compiled by Elizabeth Sanchez
