Harvard University and Graduate Students Reach Settlement in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Harvard University and three graduate students have reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit. The suit accused the university of ignoring sexual harassment complaints against a prominent professor and allowing him to intimidate students by threatening their careers.

The lawsuit, filed in Boston in 2022, was dismissed without court costs and with prejudice. This means the students cannot re-litigate the claims. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Settlement Details

The students' lawyers commended their clients for their bravery in coming forward. "We are glad that our clients will now be able to move on with their lives and careers," stated Sanford Heisler Sharp.

The lawsuit alleged that John Comaroff, a professor of anthropology and African and African American studies, forcibly kissed and groped one student as early as 2017. When she discussed her plans to study in an African country, Comaroff allegedly warned her about potential violence due to her same-sex relationship.

Allegations Against Comaroff

Two other plaintiffs claimed Comaroff threatened to derail their careers after they reported his behaviour. One accused him of giving her unwanted sexual attention when she was an undergraduate at the University of Chicago.

Comaroff, 79, was not named as a defendant. His lawyers stated he "categorically denies ever harassing or retaliating against any student" and that he "consistently made every effort to assist these students and to advance their careers."

University's Response

A Harvard spokesperson shared that Comaroff was placed on administrative leave for the rest of the spring semester after university investigators found his verbal conduct violated the school's policies. This information was shared at the time the lawsuit was filed in 2022.

Before mediation in November, Harvard's lawyers argued for dismissal, citing expired statute of limitations for some claims and lack of merit for others.

Comaroff's Statement

In July, Comaroff announced his retirement from Harvard, stating that the lawsuit "repeated all of the allegations already found to lack merit during a Harvard investigation, but in more lurid, hyperbolic terms." He described an "ugly, ferocious campaign" against him by activists who had no knowledge of him or the facts established by Harvard's investigation.

"All this extraordinary attention, all the furor, all the nastiness, arose out of two brief office-hour discussions, both academic in intent and content," Comaroff wrote.

Emails seeking comment on the settlement from attorneys representing Comaroff and Harvard were not immediately returned Friday.

The case highlights ongoing issues related to handling sexual harassment complaints within academic institutions. The settlement allows the students involved to move forward with their lives and careers.