Former students at the University of Virginia have accused a creative writing professor and National Book Award winner of sexual harassment.
The Daily Progress in Charlottesville reported Friday that two former graduate students recently filed complaints with the school against author John Casey. He won the National Book Award in 1989 for his novel Spartina.
Former student Emma Eisenberg says Casey repeatedly touched her and others and made vulgar remarks about women.
Two former University of Virginia graduate students recently filed complaints against author John Casey, who won the National Book Award in 1989
Emma Eisenberg says Casey repeatedly touched her and others and made vulgar remarks about women while she attended the school from 2012 to 2014
‘When I was at #UVA in MFA program, professor John Casey sexually harassed me & other female students: touching inappropriately at social functions, sexually-inappropriate comments, referred to women as “cunts,” passed us over in class & thesis advising. Complaint filed today,’ she said on Twitter.
Eisenberg, who earned her degree in 2014, said Casey’s behavior was an ‘open secret.’
She said she came forward after women nationwide began speaking out against sexual harassment.
Eisenberg gave a copy of the notice of investigation to the Cavalier Daily which said that Casey ‘repeatedly touched [her] and other female MFA fiction students on [their] shoulders, buttocks, and lower backs and made sexual and gender-based comments.’
‘When I was at #UVA in MFA program, professor John Casey sexually harassed me & other female students: touching inappropriately at social functions, sexually-inappropriate comments, referred to women as “cunts,” passed us over in class & thesis advising. Complaint filed today,’ she said on Twitter
Another woman also filed a complaint after Eisenberg and claimed Casey ‘repeatedly made comments about her looks, outfits and sex appeal’ in 2009 to 2010
He allegedly called women ‘c**ts’ and judged female students and authors attractiveness along with calling female students ‘hysterical.’
The incidents were said to have taken place while she was attending the school in 2012 to 2014.
Eisenberg further claimed that Casey gave male students far more teaching and advising help.
Another woman was also referenced to have filed a complaint after Eisenberg and claimed ‘repeatedly made comments about her looks, outfits and sex appeal.’
These were to have happened between 2009 to 2010 while the woman was earning an MFA in Creative Writing. Her statements have been added to the investigation into Eisenberg’s claims.
‘It had always bugged me, in my gut I knew there was something wrong about those experiences, but it was so openly talked about within the program that I figured I was over-reacting,’ Eisenberg said in an email to The Cavalier Daily about why she decided to come forward
Casey told the newspaper and The Associated Press that it’s too early to comment because ‘the case is ongoing.’
In an email, University Spokesperson Anthony de Bruyn said: ‘The University takes seriously any report of sexual harassment and is investigating this matter in accordance with its applicable policy and procedures.’
Sexual assault and harassment allegations against prominent men nationwide has inspired the woman to come forward and file the complaint against Casey.
‘It had always bugged me, in my gut I knew there was something wrong about those experiences, but it was so openly talked about within the program that I figured I was over-reacting,’ Eisenberg said in an email to The Cavalier Daily.
‘Seeing this recent flood of women coming forward confirmed what I had always known — his behavior was problematic and inappropriate.’
On Twitter, many took to offer the woman support.
Randall Mann shared that he was familiar with the author’s ways at Sewanee: The University of the South.
‘Thank you for your bravery. I was at Sewanee in 1996; his behavior was notorious and appalling then,’ he said.
Another author named Holly LeCraw who also knew Casey at the time shared her own experience with him.
‘Thank you for your bravery. I was at Sewanee in 1996; his behavior was notorious and appalling then,’ said Randall Mann on Twitter
Author Holly LeCraw said: ‘Not shocked at all. Watched him flinging himself around drunkenly at Sewanee years ago…he grabbed me & made me dance w him…not close to assault, of course, but I remember bc it was the day after he’d told me I should give up writing. Actually’
She said: ‘Not shocked at all. Watched him flinging himself around drunkenly at Sewanee years ago…he grabbed me & made me dance w him…not close to assault, of course, but I remember bc it was the day after he’d told me I should give up writing. Actually.’
A review panel will look into whether Casey violated the University’s Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment Policy (PADH), which was in use during the time of the incidents
Eisenberg added that two female MFA students complained to then-Department Chair Stephen Cushman in 2000 but he allegedly did not respond.
The professor has taught at the school since the 1970s, writing eight books during his time there.
He is known for helping connect blossoming writers with potential agents and editors.
A review panel will look into whether Casey violated the University’s Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment Policy (PADH), which was in use during the time of the incidents.
The University’s Title IX office appointed Title IX investigator Paul Apicella and LaTosha Barnes, an Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights specialist, to take on the case. The Title IX office hopes to resolve the issue within 60 days, by Jan. 19, 2018.
‘It is appropriate for Professor Casey to be held accountable for his actions, but exactly how is up to the University,’ Eisenberg added.
‘I hope that the result of this complaint is only that he is no longer actively teaching students.’