Irvine Professor Refuses to Attend Sexual Harassment Training

November 5, 2008

Irvine, CA – One of UC Irvine’s most prominent biologists is being threatened to be suspended or placed on unpaid leave for refusing to attend sexual harassment prevention training.

Alexander McPherson, 64, has already been relieved of his duties as a supervisor of scientists in his lab. Campus authorities have also requested that his classes be reassigned to other professors, but the order had been rescinded.

Campus officials say that McPherson was not complying with Assembly Bill 1825, a law that requires supervisors to undergo sexual harassment prevention training. McPherson maintained that the training was a “sham”, and that it offends his sensibilities, at the same time casting doubts and suspicions on his reputation.

Campus authorities said that if McPherson does not attend the training course scheduled on November 12, he could be placed on unpaid leave.

McPherson has already generated around $20 Million in research grants since he joined the university in 1997. He could attend the November 12 training to regain his former status in the university but he insists on not attending it, even if it meant being suspended from a job that pays roughly $148,740 a year.