Mary Rogus, an Ohio University journalism professor, resigned Monday from her position on the Scripps College of Communication scholarship committee.
Rogus stepped down from the position after receiving backlash for statements she posted defending Yusuf Kalyango, a journalism professor found to have sexually harassed two students in Title IX investigations.
In a series of now-deleted tweets, Rogus defended Kalyango following a Faculty Senate committee’s recommendation to have him fully reinstated as a professor and maintain his tenure.
“As a survivor of real sexual harassment, I’m furious for exploitation of #MeToo & ECRC’s incomplete investigation. There was a lot more to this story now heard!” Rogus wrote in a deleted tweet.
Eddith Dashiell, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism director, said Rogus will still serve as chair of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism’s scholarship committee.
“To disrupt that process so close after the application deadline would be a disservice to our journalism majors,” she said in an email.
Dashiell said her resignation will allow Devika Chawla, a professor in the school of communication studies, to return to her position after resigning in protest.
“Please know that her posted comments do not represent the position of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, the Scripps College of Communication or Ohio University,” Dashiell wrote in a statement.
Rogus also issued an apology while she announced her resignation.
“With all of my heart, I would like to express deep regret that my words caused hurt to other survivors of sexual misconduct. That was not at all my intention, but clearly, I did not think through how my words would be perceived,” she wrote in a thread on Twitter. “In an act of understanding and respect for those who were impacted by my words, I have resigned from the Scripps College scholarship committee so that others may serve. I am truly sorry that any survivor was hurt by my words.”
