Hebrew University Deliberated on Doctoral Student’s Complaint for Nearly Three Years

Nature of the Complaint

Steinmeyer claimed that she was completely dependent on her academic adviser and that he subjected her to sexual violence. Among the acts she described were forcing her to sleep in the same bed with him dozens of times, as well as emotional manipulation. It is not clear from the material presented exactly which allegations the internal tribunal found proven.

Lengthy Proceeding

The case was heard by the Hebrew University’s internal disciplinary tribunal. The proceeding lasted nearly three years; the doctoral student’s friends claim that its duration was affected by delays caused by the professor and his lawyers. In January, Steinmeyer’s body was found in her apartment, and at the time of publication, the circumstances of her death had not yet been officially determined.

The Decision and Penalty

According to the report, an appeal process was scheduled following the decision, but Steinmeyer died before it was heard. The academic adviser was required to pay the complainant’s family a sum equal to two of his salaries. The full text of the decision, the legal classification of the acts, the appeal’s final outcome, and the normative basis for the sanction are not provided in the source.

Criticism of the University

Steinmeyer’s friends believe that the measure imposed was disproportionate, especially given the length of the proceeding. The report also states that the professor obtained a position at a prestigious institution. Unnamed senior university officials called the penalty ridiculous and acknowledged that people who were aware of what was happening did not stop him in time.

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