Professional Documents
Culture Documents
10 Former Students, Staffers Accuse Northwestern Investigative Journalism Professor of Harassment
10 Former Students, Staffers Accuse Northwestern Investigative Journalism Professor of Harassment
Bradley J. Hamm
Office of the Dean
The Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing
Communications
Northwestern University
Today, we are writing to tell you that Alec Klein’s time is up. His harassing
behavior. His predatory behavior. His controlling, discriminatory, emotionally
and verbally abusive behavior has to end. We all know about it. We’ve
experienced it. It’s time you heard us. It’s time you listened.
Some of us date back to his first class at Medill almost a decade ago. Others of
us worked under him as staff and fellows of the Medill Justice Project. His
misconduct is now an open secret at Northwestern University to the point that
many students have boycotted his class, robbing them of the opportunity to
pursue investigative journalism at Medill.
Each one of us, the undersigned, has experienced harassment or bullying at the
hands of Alec Klein.
And let’s be clear: Some of us have also experienced sexual harassment and
sexual misconduct.
Yes, you get judged for your 'phone voice' — and these
tweets prove it
This #MeToo reckoning joins a host of other women who are collectively
unmasking powerful men across the globe. We have seen many men of great
talent — even some of our journalism heroes — fall. But know this: Alec Klein is
no hero. And journalism, especially the emerging journalists who come to Medill
to learn in a safe space, will be better served without him.
We know many unheard voices remain. Medill alumni, colleagues, students and
others may send their stories here: medillmetoo@gmail.com.
Respectfully,