The University of New Hampshire will fire an associate professor of Spanish who it said admitted to intentionally lowering the student evaluations of another faculty member, according to The Union Leader, a local newspaper.
The professor, Marco Dorfsman, will be terminated on May 17.
John D. Aber, New Hampshire’s provost, made the decision to fire Mr. Dorfsman based on a recommendation from the Professional Standards Committee of the university’s Faculty Senate. Committee members unanimously agreed that Mr. Dorfsman’s conduct “evinces a gross disregard for the rights of others, is a clear and intentional breach of duties owed to others and to the university, and evokes condemnation,” according to the newspaper.
“This serious breach of ethical standards constitutes moral turpitude that cannot be tolerated at UNH,” said a statement released by a university spokeswoman that was cited by the newspaper. Last year the university agreed to a new contract with its faculty union that eased the standard of discipline to allow the institution to fire professors who demonstrate moral turpitude.
