Federal University Professor Fired for Sexual Harassment in Pernambuco
A tenured professor at the Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco (UFAPE) in Garanhuns has been dismissed following an administrative disciplinary process conducted by the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU). The investigation substantiated allegations of sexual harassment against female professors and students at the institution. The professor's name has not been released by UFAPE. The dismissal, formalized by Ordinance No. 1,709 published in the Official Gazette on July 13, also includes a five-year ban from holding federal public office. UFAPE stated that the initial complaints were received in 2018, and the CGU took over the case's proceedings. A final report from an inquiry commission at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), to which the Garanhuns unit was affiliated until 2018, detailed accounts from professors, students, and witnesses. These accounts described alleged obscene advances, intimidation, and persecution by the professor. The professor's defense claimed political persecution during the process. The commission found a severe violation of functional duties and administrative morality, recommending dismissal due to the conduct's impact on public service dignity and institutional integrity. Allegations included sexual phone calls, inappropriate offers during rides, obscene comments, and workplace stalking. UFAPE confirmed the CGU's decision and emphasized its commitment to a respectful academic environment, maintaining structures for reporting and addressing harassment. The university ensures due process, including the right to defense, in all disciplinary proceedings. Investigations into potential criminal charges by the Civil Police are ongoing, and the professor's defense could not be reached for comment.
This case highlights the critical importance of robust institutional mechanisms for addressing and adjudicating allegations of workplace harassment. The protracted timeline, from initial complaints in 2018 to the final dismissal, underscores the complexities and potential delays inherent in administrative disciplinary processes, even when swift action is warranted. The CGU's intervention and the subsequent ban from public office reflect a serious view of the alleged violations of professional conduct and public trust. Moving forward, universities must continually evaluate and refine their policies and procedures to ensure timely, fair, and transparent resolution of such sensitive matters, balancing due process with the imperative to protect the academic community. The systemic challenge lies in fostering environments where reporting is safe and effective, and where accountability is consistently applied, thereby reinforcing the integrity of educational institutions.
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