Professor at Ventura College is put on leave after video shows him berating a hard-of-hearing student on Zoom for not answering quickly enough as classmates rally to her defense
A professor in California has been put on leave after video showed him berating a hard-of-hearing student for not paying attention during a Zoom class.
Michael Abram, a tenured professor with 20 years of experience with the Ventura Community College District is seen on a TikTok clip lambasting the girl.
After the video went viral on Friday, the district's Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Laura Lizaola Barroso said that Abram was placed on leave, the VC Star reports.
'Why didn't you answer all the times I spoke to you then? You know, thank you. Thank you. Why don't we talk sometimes—why don't you email me?' Abrams asked.
'We'll set up a live zoom and we're going to have some real communication at some point and time. Maybe you can have your counselor join us? Okay? Do you hear me? Okay, wonderful, do that.'
In the clip, a Ventura College professor lambasts the student for not paying attention in class
As the student tries to diffuse the situation with the professor, her classmates jump to her defense and inform the educator on her situation.
'Professor she's actually hard at hearing so her translator goes in a little bit later,' the classmates says. 'She can't respond like right away.'
Students identified the professor as Michael Abrams on social media
The professor retorts: 'She's not paying attention. She's not trying. Are you her translator.'
As the student asserts that she is paying attention and classmates continue to speak up for her.
'It is slower on her end because she has to get it translated and then it goes to her hearing piece,' her classmates asserts.
'Ms. Salazar, have your counselor speak with me because you've got too much distraction to even understand what's going on,' the professor says in the clip.
He later adds: 'Just have them teach you the whole class, that makes sense to me. I don't know. I don't understand it but I see you laughing and smiling and giggling with somebody else.'
As the student tries to diffuse the situation with the professor, her classmates jump to her defense and inform the educator on her situation
The teacher and the student continue going back and forth, clearly unable to reach a resolution in their disagreement.
'I'm just respecting you and you are attacking me,' the student says.
Abram responds: 'Ok. I am not attacking you. I am just significantly disappointed in you.'
Students and alums of Ventura College slammed the professor for his remarks, reaching out to the college to see if there would be any action taken against him.
'The District is responding immediately and has initiated an investigation,' the Ventura County Community College District said in a message to students.
'VCCCD Board of Trustees and leadership at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges honor, respect and will protect the rights and challenges of everyone.'
Oxnard College President Luis Sanchez has branded the video 'alarming', the VC Star reports.
District Chancellor Greg Gillespie said: 'We are taking this incident very seriously. We are currently investigating the situation and following our protocols to address it.'
'The District is responding immediately and has initiated an investigation,' the Ventura County Community College District said in a message to students
No comments