Committee: Tutors Guilty of Harassment

A University committee found two Dunster House tutors who sent a threatening letter to six other tutors last fall guilty of harassment. The committee ordered the two tutors to "desist that behavior," a house tutor said last week.

Last fall, Vincent W. Li'87 and his brother Dr. William W. Li'84 sent letters to six house tutors threatening to sue them if they made public allegations about him. But Vincent Li said the harassment charges are "completely unfounded," and he called his accusers "charlatans and amoral."

The Lis sent the letter to tutors who had charged Vincent Li with influencing Dunster House Master Karel F. Liem to hire his brother, girlfriend and two longtime friends.

Liem said the committee's report found Li guilty only of being "unwise."

"The report didn't say harassment. [Vincent Li] hasn't done anything wrong," said Liem, who added that he has not seen a copy of the report. "People do unwise things all the time."

University officials this week acknowledged the existence of the investigation committee, but refused to comment on its findings.

"This complaint was investigated, and a disposition was made towards the end of last fall term," Knowles wrote in a statement faxed to The Crimson last week. "It would not, of course, be proper for me to comment on theoutcome."

Liem has decided to rehire William Li for nextyear. Vincent Li announced he would be leaving thehouse to get married.

Jewett's Probe

An investigation of the favoritism and improperinfluence charges, conducted last summer by Deanof the College L. Fred Jewett '57, found nowrongdoing.

But six of eight tutorts who made theallegations found the Lis' letter when theyreturned to Cambridge this fall.

David C. Bear '92, a non-resident tutor inphysics, filed a formal complaint with Dean of thefaculty Jeremy R. Knowles after receiving theletter.

Knowles asked Dean of the College L. FredJewett '57 to set up a three-person committeechaired by Associate Dean of the College Thomas A.Dingman '67.

Dingman said the investigating committee, whichwas formed in October, met for a month and spoketo about a dozen people.

"The process was an important one," Dingmansaid. "It allowed feelings to surface and allowedpeople to put the incident behind them."

Dingman referred questions about the outcome ofthe report to Jewett. Jewett could not be reachedfor comment.

William Li Rehired

Liem said he decided to rehire William Li foranother year after Student interviewersunanimously recommended him to a house tutoradvisory committee made up of members of the housesenior common room. Liem said he did not informtutors of the committee's report.

"I decided that I will not stick my nose in thething," Liem said. "I assume the advisorycommittee knows about it."

Bear, who will be a tutor in North House nextyear, objected to the Liems' decision.

"I'm disappointed in the outcome in terms ofthe hiring of tutors for next year," Bear saidlast week.

Vincent Li said he has decided to leave DunsterHouse because of his recent engagement to FionaMurray, a resident tutor in environmental scienceswhom Li allegedly helped bring into the house.

Li denied ever acting improperly and said hisdecision to leave the house has nothing to do withthe committee's report.

"I think we would both like to start our lifetogether with a bit more room and time toourselves," Li said.

Li's departure was only one of many in the pastyear in Dunster House. In fact, none of theoriginal eight tutors who charged Li withmisconduct are returning next year.

Three of the tutors resigned as a direct resultof the controversy, and the other five mentionedthe issue as one of the reasons they left theirjobs.

Vincent Li blasted the tutors who spoke outagainst him last year.

"These are people who are cowards andcharlatans," he said. "They are despicable, amoralindividuals and have no business being atHarvard."

Li said he had a right to sent out the letter,calling it his "ability to protect my privacy andindividual rights."

Liem expressed hope last week that next yearwould be a quieter one for Dunster House.

"I hope that the house will run really well,"he said. "I'm very optimistic.

Liem has decided to rehire William Li for nextyear. Vincent Li announced he would be leaving thehouse to get married.

Jewett's Probe

An investigation of the favoritism and improperinfluence charges, conducted last summer by Deanof the College L. Fred Jewett '57, found nowrongdoing.

But six of eight tutorts who made theallegations found the Lis' letter when theyreturned to Cambridge this fall.

David C. Bear '92, a non-resident tutor inphysics, filed a formal complaint with Dean of thefaculty Jeremy R. Knowles after receiving theletter.

Knowles asked Dean of the College L. FredJewett '57 to set up a three-person committeechaired by Associate Dean of the College Thomas A.Dingman '67.

Dingman said the investigating committee, whichwas formed in October, met for a month and spoketo about a dozen people.

"The process was an important one," Dingmansaid. "It allowed feelings to surface and allowedpeople to put the incident behind them."

Dingman referred questions about the outcome ofthe report to Jewett. Jewett could not be reachedfor comment.

William Li Rehired

Liem said he decided to rehire William Li foranother year after Student interviewersunanimously recommended him to a house tutoradvisory committee made up of members of the housesenior common room. Liem said he did not informtutors of the committee's report.

"I decided that I will not stick my nose in thething," Liem said. "I assume the advisorycommittee knows about it."

Bear, who will be a tutor in North House nextyear, objected to the Liems' decision.

"I'm disappointed in the outcome in terms ofthe hiring of tutors for next year," Bear saidlast week.

Vincent Li said he has decided to leave DunsterHouse because of his recent engagement to FionaMurray, a resident tutor in environmental scienceswhom Li allegedly helped bring into the house.

Li denied ever acting improperly and said hisdecision to leave the house has nothing to do withthe committee's report.

"I think we would both like to start our lifetogether with a bit more room and time toourselves," Li said.

Li's departure was only one of many in the pastyear in Dunster House. In fact, none of theoriginal eight tutors who charged Li withmisconduct are returning next year.

Three of the tutors resigned as a direct resultof the controversy, and the other five mentionedthe issue as one of the reasons they left theirjobs.

Vincent Li blasted the tutors who spoke outagainst him last year.

"These are people who are cowards andcharlatans," he said. "They are despicable, amoralindividuals and have no business being atHarvard."

Li said he had a right to sent out the letter,calling it his "ability to protect my privacy andindividual rights."

Liem expressed hope last week that next yearwould be a quieter one for Dunster House.

"I hope that the house will run really well,"he said. "I'm very optimistic.