Urban Design Professor Suspended for Harassment and Intimidation

The field planning and urban design has seen relatively little in the way of controversy or consequences since the #MeToo movement gained a foothold in the public consciousness. The status quo ended this week.

2 minute read

August 21, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


#TimesUp

Sundry Photography / Shutterstock

The University of California, Berkeley has suspended Nezar AlSayyad, professor of architecture, city planning, urban design, and urban history as punishment for "a pattern of sexual harassment."

Cynthia Dizikes and Nanette Asimov report: "AlSayyad is an internationally recognized scholar and speaker who has taught at UC Berkeley since 1985. He was barred from teaching courses in 2016, when The Chronicle broke the story of the harassment findings. Within days, students demanded his removal."

"But AlSayyad, 62, continued collecting his $211,000-a-year salary, serving on academic committees and advising students. In November, he faced a hearing in the faculty senate, which deliberated four months before recommending that Christ suspend him for one year because of the sexual harassment. "

"The chancellor tripled the suspension after determining that the tenured professor also abused his faculty powers."

Eva Hagberg Fisher is on Twitter and has spoken publically about the long process leading up to the decision to suspend AlSayyad this week.

Hat tip to jack Balderrama Morley for sharing the news.

Monday, August 20, 2018 in The San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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