Howard Law School Finds Tenured Prof Guilty Of Sexual Harassment Due To Exam Question About A Client Receiving A Brazilian Body Wax

Inside Higher Ed, Brazilian Wax Question Lands Professor In Hot Water:

Howard University has found a professor of law guilty of sexual harassment in relation to a 2015 test question involving Brazilian waxing. At first blush, it’s the kind of case that might anger even modest professors concerned about the rising tide of what’s been called campus illiberalism, or student calls for censorship of emotionally discomfiting speech.

But Reginald Robinson’s full question about a client who fell asleep during a wax and later alleged improper touching is rather graphic, with references to a “landing strip,” hairlessness from “belly button to buttocks" and more. Still, some free speech and academic freedom advocates are calling Howard’s response excessive: mandatory sensitivity training for Robinson, prior administrative review of his future test questions, classroom observation and a warning that any further violations of the university’s sexual harassment policies may result in termination.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education — which asked Howard to revoke Robinson’s sanctions, but reportedly did not hear back by a June 30 deadline — said this week that the university’s “overreaction to a simple hypothetical question is a threat to academic freedom and a professor’s ability to effectively teach students.” The question "clearly does not constitute sexual harassment,” added Susan Kruth, FIRE’s senior program officer for legal and public advocacy. 

• ABA Journal, Law Prof's Exam Question on Brazilian Wax Is Deemed Harassment; Is Academic Freedom Threatened?
• Daily Caller, Law School Brands Professor As Sexual Harasser Over Test Question Featuring Bikini Wax Job
• Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, Ouch! Brazilian Wax Test Question Nets Howard University Professor a 504-Day Title IX Investigation, Sanctions
• Heat Street, Law Professor Found ‘Guilty of Sexual Harassment’ Over Exam Question About Bikini Waxing
• Independent Journal Review, Howard Law Professor Guilty of Sexual Harassment After Students Felt Uncomfortable by Hypothetical Test Question
• National Law Journal, University Rips Law Prof over Brazilian Wax Exam Question