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SINGAPORE – A senior professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) was fired on Tuesday (Dec. 1) for sexual misconduct, the university said in a statement.
Professor Theodore G. Hopf, chairman of the department of political science at the College of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), allegedly had sexually harassed a student.
In August this year, an anonymous complaint was sent to the university and investigations began immediately.
Following interviews with the student and Professor Hopf, a no-contact order was issued to Professor Hopf on September 15, prohibiting him from contacting any NUS student, the statement said.
The 61-year-old American was subsequently suspended and told to stay off campus while investigations were conducted.
A Committee of Inquiry (COI) was appointed on October 7. The IOC interviewed the student, who was accompanied by a care officer from the NUS Victim Care Unit (VCU), on October 21.
Because Professor Hopf needed to seek treatment for a serious medical condition, the IOC interviewed him on November 13 after his medical leave, NUS said.
The IOC concluded its investigation and submitted its report to the university on November 18.
It was determined that Professor Hopf “had not acted with the propriety, respect and decorum expected of a university staff.”
He had sexually harassed the student physically, verbally and in writing, the university said.
“His conduct was a serious violation of the NUS staff code of conduct. Given the seriousness of the crimes, NUS fired Professor Hopf on December 1,” the university said.
NUS also made a police report on November 27. He had informed the student that he would proceed to do so, in accordance with his legal obligations.
NUS said, “The VCU and FASS have been providing student care and support since the allegations were first brought to the attention of the university, and will continue to do so.”
The university reiterated that it expects high standards of conduct from its staff.
“There are strict guidelines related to personal and professional conduct. In particular, the university has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct by staff. Disciplinary penalties are imposed for each offense, including the dismissal of a staff offender for serious offenses.” .
Professor Hopf had previously served on the faculties of Ohio State University, Ohio University, and the University of Michigan.
The professor had also served on the boards, including the NUS Asian Research Institute board of directors.
He is the author of several books, including Reconstructing The Cold War: The Early Years, 1945-1958.
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