College fund removes professor’s name after an accusation from the 1970s

Hampshire College last week rescinded an endowed fund and a room on campus named in memory of the late Lester J. Mazor, a professor for 37 years, after determining allegations from an alumna of inappropriate behavior dating back to the 1970s were credible. Mazor, who died in 2011, was a founding professor at the college.

A panel charged with investigating the matter has recommended that Hampshire “strengthen” its policies relating to consensual relationships between faculty or staff and students. College policy “strongly discourages” romantic relationships between faculty/staff and students, but does not prohibit them unless there is a supervisory element.

The committee also issued recommendations for what to do when allegations of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior are made involving parties who are no longer at the college. Although Hampshire has clear policies to deal with current sexual harassment or assault allegations, there were no similar policies regarding past incidents until May. At that time, the trustees approved the committee’s recommendation to have a multi-step evaluation process in cases of complaints regarding past allegations of inappropriate behavior. In those cases, recommendations are referred to the president.

“Particularly in light of the heightened awareness of both individual and institutional failures to recognize and respond to incidents of sexual harassment brought about by the #MeToo movement, it seemed important for Hampshire College to review its own conduct and develop appropriate policies,” the Sept. 21 report states.