Holy Cross Organist Banned After Sexual Misconduct Claims

WORCESTER, MA — Holy Cross organist James David Christie was banned from the college campus following the college's investigation into the sexual harassment of students. Two alumni, Jacob Street and Sean Redrow, told The Boston Globe they were sexually abused by Christie.

Redrow posted part of Holy Cross' Title IX statement to his Facebook page — the post does not directly name Christie, but Redrow and Street told the Worcester Telegram the college" reached the only result it could - that James David Christie violated College policy." The statement bans Christie from setting foot on the campus or having any contact with current employees or current or former Holy Cross students. The statement also says Christie will be stripped of all honors and awards and that the college will issue a statement to the community detailing the penalties he faces. The statement adds that Christie chose not to participate in the investigation.

The statement reads in part:

"subjected you to prohibited harassment...as he engaged in inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature...The panel also determined, by a preponderance of evidence that…[he] also subjected you to prohibited harassment, related to consensual sexual relations between a student and an employee in which an inherent imbalance of existed...such behavior constituted prohibited sexual misconduct under the College’s policy during your time at the college."

Christie, 67, of Natick, resigned from Holy Cross last year and also left his positions at two other colleges, Wellesley College and Oberlin College & Conservatory. Christie served as an artist-in-residence at Holy Cross.

The College of Holy Cross is not commenting on the case.

Redrow and Street told the Worcester Telegram they are waiting to see whether the college will take remedial measures with them. "We are waiting to see if the College, as Christie’s employer, takes substantive responsibility for Christie’s egregious misconduct and its impact on all of us," the pair told the outlet.

Redrow could not be immediately reached for comment.

The College of Holy Cross has been rocked by several allegations of sexual harassment by faculty members throughout the year, starting with Christie. Public allegations were also made against philosophy professor Christopher Dustin. He was placed on administrative leave.

Last year, an Instagram account was created called “Sexual Assault on the Hill" where students and alumni are able to share stories of sexual assault and harassment. Several threats were waged against the account, sparking campus police investigations — the account is now private.