Ihere is the testimony of 18 students, a lecturer and an administrative manager. All report “insistent” and “inappropriate” remarks sent to them by a teacher via messaging or in private comments on social networks. “Not everyone is lucky enough to be as physically smart as you”; “so much beauty is irritating”; “I have never seen eyes as beautiful as yours”; “six of you…the prettiest” (concerning a montage of photos of several student faces); or even a reflection on the neckline of a student in the extra-university setting… These are all examples cited in a report by the Disciplinary Commission of the University of Bordeaux…
Ihere is the testimony of 18 students, a lecturer and an administrative manager. All report “insistent” and “inappropriate” remarks sent to them by a teacher via messaging or in private comments on social networks. “Not everyone is lucky enough to be as physically smart as you”; “so much beauty is irritating”; “I have never seen eyes as beautiful as yours”; “six of you…the prettiest” (concerning a montage of photos of several student faces); or even a reflection on the neckline of a student in the extra-university setting… These are all examples cited in a report by the Disciplinary Commission of Bordeaux Montaigne University published on 1er February 2022. The penalty fell: this teacher was banned from practicing in the establishment for eighteen months.
This is not an isolated case. In September 2022, an archeology professor was suspended, again by Bordeaux Montaigne University. A possible measure pending the instruction but limited to one year. The facts date back to 2019. Once again, an inappropriate attitude towards female students is accused of him.
Another report was received in 2021, this time targeting a philosophy professor. The testimonies report inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature during the year 2020. The Bordeaux Montaigne University reported the case to the prosecutor, and the National Council for Higher Education and Research (Cneser), the authority of academic discipline seized to rule on the matter, has just accepted that the case is out of place. In other words, it will be studied by another university college, to avoid any collusion.
“We are very vigilant when we receive reports. It’s a real policy that we are leading”
Support the victims
“These are subjects that we take hold of, and that we don’t let pass,” explains the president of Bordeaux Montaigne, Lionel Larré. “We are very vigilant when we receive reports. It is a real policy that we are conducting and the monitoring unit takes on the duty of supporting and informing victims about possible legal action. Moreover, it is quite new to see that tongues are loosening and we are putting everything in place to create the conditions that allow it. »
“It is quite new to see that tongues are loosening and we are putting everything in place to create the conditions that allow it”
“One thing is certain: we talk a lot between students and we say to ourselves who we should pay attention to, at university”, explains Julie (1), a history student. Regarding another case, she adds: “I knew this teacher because he taught in my training, but I never had him in class. He said many things to himself about him, in particular that he had to be vigilant. “” Everyone knew the nature of his actions, abounds a close source. He was very weird. “And then, there was this anonymous letter, received at the editorial staff of “Sud Ouest”, from a member of the university: “I got wind of the investigation you are conducting at the moment. Unfortunately, I am unable to express myself openly. However, I think that a few things can help you move forward…”
The actions of this teacher-researcher in ancient history would have taken place during 2018 and 2019. They were denounced by two students. He was the director of memory of one of them. After advances that she would have rejected (the professor would have rested his foot on the knee of the young woman), he is accused of having ceased his work as director of thesis. The second student who testified was not one of his students and did not study in the same discipline. He would have invited her to lunch at his place. They would then have met in his garden. The teacher would have offered to dance to Latin music before trying to kiss her.
“Inappropriate behavior”
The respondent denies these versions. “The facts retained are perfectly inaccurate”, maintains his lawyer in the report of the National Council for Higher Education and Research (Cneser). “It is by no means established that my client would have multiplied the appointments with female students outside the premises, and in particular at his home with meals alone, and he never encouraged the consumption of alcohol . »
It is because they were reported to the watch unit against sexist and sexual violence of the University, as well as to the presidency of the university, that the facts were brought to light. It was immediately decided to outsource the decision-making. It was therefore the disciplinary unit of the University of Limoges, where the case was out of place, which sanctioned this professor, on October 20, 2021, by pronouncing against him the prohibition to exercise any teaching function in the establishment or any French public establishment of higher education for a period of three years.
Complaint for “slanderous denunciation”
The teacher immediately ceased to practice at the university. “Improper behavior towards female students at Bordeaux Montaigne University is alleged, such as to constitute, at the disciplinary level, breaches of his statutory obligations as a civil servant, of university ethics, of the obligation of equal treatment of users and likely to disturb the proper functioning of the establishment”, we read in the report. Part of his salary, that relating to teaching, has been suspended. Only the part associated with research was left to him. He will be able to resume his duties in September 2024.
The teacher concerned appealed on the merits of the case, but the Cneser’s decision has not yet been rendered. This week, he was also to file a complaint through his lawyer against the two students for “slanderous denunciation”, as well as against a professor for “false attestation”.
(1) The first name has been changed.
Fight against sexual violence
Bordeaux Montaigne University brings together nearly 18,137 students and 1,200 teachers and administrative staff around training and research in the arts, languages, letters, humanities and social sciences. Since 2013, it has been committed to the fight against sexual and sexist, homophobic and transphobic violence by setting up a reporting unit, which has been strengthened since 2022. The establishment also offers an action program aimed at identifying , name, debate and act against this violence.