Burying bad news? Juilliard suspends composition chair
NewsThe Juilliard School let it be known in the last hours before the holiday that it has ‘put on leave’ the chair of its composition department.
Robert Beaser, 68, had been accused of demanding sex from students in return for career help.
Some 500 classical music activists signed a petition demanding his suspension. Juilliard initially ordered an independent investigation. Now, in the fading light before Christmas, it has sent Beaser home.
“Sexual discrimination and sexual harassment have no place in our school community. We take all such allegations extremely seriously,’ said a Juilliard spokesperson, in response to media inquiries.
Beaser told the New York Post: ‘I am more than willing to participate in Juilliard’s outside investigation in order to protect and defend my reputation. Until the school concludes this process, I have agreed to be on leave from my teaching position.’
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