NYU faces backlash over potential hire accused of sexual harassment

Over 300 people have signed a petition condemning the potential hire of Dr. David Sabatini.

Backlash erupted this week against New York University's Grossman School of Medicine in response to reports the school is in discussions to hire Dr. David Sabatini, a biologist who is facing accusations of sexual harassment.

Sabatini resigned from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology earlier this month after a review by his department head, the dean of science and the provost recommended his tenure be revoked due to his violation of MIT’s policy on consensual relationships, according to a letter MIT President L. Rafael Reif sent to faculty.

"The reviewers found Professor Sabatini engaged in a sexual relationship with a person over whom he held a career-influencing role, he did not disclose the relationship at any time to his supervisors, and he failed to take any steps to relinquish his mentoring and career-influencing roles, as the policy requires," Reif said in the letter.

"The Committee also had significant concerns regarding his unprofessional behavior toward some lab members," the letter added.