15 Medill Faculty Members Back Journalism Professor's Accusers

EVANSTON, IL — A group of tenured faculty at Northwestern University's journalism school released a letter in response to the women who have accused Professor Alec Klein of bullying and harassment. In the Feb. 9 letter, 15 of Klein's fellow professors at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications wrote the women's allegations "shook many of us to the core."

Last Wednesday, 10 former Medill students or employees sent an open letter to university administrators describing incidents of inappropriate behavior, harassment and sexual misconduct, which was first printed in the Chicago Reader. Klein categorically denied the allegations and said he intended to pursue legal action.

A Northwestern spokesperson said Thursday said the university had accepted Klein's request for a leave of absence while the allegations are further investigated.

The Medill professors' letter, dated Friday, offered full support for that investigation. It said the allegations have led to a "period of profound reflection" among the school's faculty.

"We hear you," they tell the women. "We're listening...[W]e're committed to doing our part, as teachers, in a sustained effort to make changes that will ensure no student or employee experiences abusive treatment sexual misconduct, or discriminatory behavior," according to the letter.

"We respect you, and express our deep personal regret for any harm suffered," they told Klein's accusers. The women's courage to discuss their "deeply troubling experiences" obliged the professors to "learn, reflect deeply, and change," they wrote.

Klein has been the head of the the school's prestigious investigative journalism program, the Medill Justice Project, since taking over in 2011. Formerly known as the Medill Innocence Project, its founder David Protess (a man described by former students and colleagues having an "abrasive and egotistical personality," according to the Daily Northwestern) had recently resigned amid an investigation into unethical conduct in his investigations of murder convictions.

When he took over for Protess, Klein promised to establish strict ethical guidelines and safety procedures. At the time, he said his "goal is to restore trust in the class and the project and rebuild it."

The 15 Medill professors said the views they expressed in the letter are widely shared among faculty and staff. They promised to "search for ways to help provide a safer, healthier environment free from any form of predation or bullying."

» Read more: Professor Takes Leave From Northwestern Due To Misconduct Claims