A professor at Yucatán’s ESAY arts school has been fired following allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Several female students have come forward and complained that the professor identified as Alcibíades Z.A. requested them to pose nude for art projects.
Students also complained that the professor would often make unwanted sexual advancements and abuse them psychologically.
Following an internal investigation, a special committee found that the professor had acted in violation of the institution’s code of ethics and would therefore lose his teaching position in the school’s theater program.
Members of the student organization, Colectivo Aquelarre ESAY, said that they were pleased with the decision and hoped that the incident would serve as a deterrent to others looking to abuse their position.
Earlier: Merida beefs up law punishing street harassment
Criminal charges have not been brought against the fired professor, but several students have hinted that they plan to bring their case to civil authorities.
The firing comes on the heels of several similar incidents at Yucatán’s state university, as well as other higher education institutions across the state.
Last year, a group made up of several feminist collectives called out 40 professors and school administrators for a laundry list of sexual offenses.
During the COVID-19 pandemic reports of sexual impropriety have not stopped but rather have migrated online.
“You would think that we would have been safer at home, but not, these (expletive) cowards feel emboldened behind their screens,” said a spokesperson for Colectivo Aquelarre ESAY.
