Students and alumni have varied reactions to the Professional Conduct Review Committee's (PCRC) investigation of complaints of alleged inappropriate physical misconduct, inappropriate sexual conversation and drug use filed by students and faculty against Assistant Professor of Neuroscience David Holtzman and Holtzman's $1million discrimination lawsuit against the College.
"I was stunned by the fact that they eliminated his classes and would not let him see his students without notifying him," an alumnus and Neuroscience major who wished to remain anonymous said.
Holtzman is currently on paid leave, undergoing investigation by the PCRC. He is restricted from having any contact with students. In his lawsuit, Holtzman charges that he was denied equal treatment as an Oberlin College employee because he is an Hispanic-American.
Holtzman's request for a temporary restraining order that would have allowed him to teach classes without interference from the College was denied in U.S. District Court mid-September. The judge wrote, "The plaintiff did not demonstrate that he was likely to succeed on the merits of his claim, or that the harm he faced was irreparable."
The anonymous graduate said she was informed of the events surrounding Holtzman in last week's Review. "I was amazed that all this happened," the alumnus said. She said she felt the College "took their actions a little too harshly."
The alumnus said, "I would not support him because I know that some of those charges were true." She said that she did have her "own problems" with him, but that she personally "cleared things up with him."
"I didn't feel like I was a victim because I talked things out with him," said the alumnus. "I don't think he realized what he was doing."
She added, "I'm curious to see what's going to happen."
Alex Goddard, a college junior and Neuroscience major, said "As far as what happened to Holtzman, I'm not going to find it as a surprise." He said, "I don't necessarily think the college is erroneous, but I don't know how well they are handling the situation."
Goddard also said, "I see the two forces battling it out."
As to the legitimacy of Holtzman's claim, another anonymous alumnus and Neuroscience major said, "That's really pathetic. It's not a race issue."
The alumnus said that in her junior year at Oberlin, she attended a Zeke party where a number of students and professors were present. She said Holtzman started "hitting on the female students, including myself."
"I think that he deserves to be put out of the college," the alumnus said. "I think that his conduct is very unprofessional, and on top of that, he made students uncomfortable."
Aaron Boster, a junior and Neuroscience major, reacted differently to the controversy surrounding Holtzman. "The uproar about the professor doesn't change the quality of the department," Boster said.
"We have incredible teachers. It's a strong department," Boster said. "I don't think it will be altered."
Becky Sanagorski, a sophomore and student in Neuroscience 201, said that she was glad that "the Neuroscience Department got everything worked out and that class is functionally working now."
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