University suspends lecturer for sexual harassment

A CYPRUS University lecturer found guilty on sexual harassment charges has been banned from the institution for nearly two years.

The decision was taken by the University Senate on Tuesday night, following a detailed three-month in-house investigation.

But the decision falls short of student demands that the lecturer be sacked for his misconduct.

As the senate decision stands, the lecturer will not be allowed to teach again until September 2000 and will receive a wage cut of 50 per cent during that time, leaked reports said yesterday.

The accused lecturer had dismissed the harassment allegations as part of a smear campaign, but the senate’s decision against him was unanimous.

After the university’s special investigation committee heard evidence from several female students, it concluded that the lecturer’s behaviour constituted a type of sexual harassment.

Female students had accused the lecturer of making lewd comments and groping their breasts during one-to-one tutorials.

The lecturer still claims his innocence and denies any wrongdoing.

The senate believes that the punishment fits the crime and sends a stern message to academic staff that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

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