Brock professor returns to classroom following sexual harassment investigation

Brock University says a professor disciplined by the university following a sexual harassment investigation isreturning to the classroom next week.

ProfessorDavid Schimmelpenninckis scheduled to teach a non-compulsory second-year course after an almost three-year absence from the classroom.The absence was a result of discipline following an investigation into sexual harassment, the university has confirmed to CBC News.

The university inSt. Catharines, Ont., says the absence also relates to health issues and accrued academic leave.

The return comes after a Dec. 14 decision from an arbitratorwhoconcludedthatSchimmelpenninckshould be permitted to return to the classroom, "pursuant to the university's collective agreement with its faculty association," the university's administration said in astatement emailed to CBC Jan. 3.

However, it says a set of conditions have been put in place forSchimmelpenninck's return to teaching.

Brock hasn't elaborated further onthe conditions.

The statement saysSchimmelpenninckreturned to campus in the summer of 2018 but was not scheduled to teach in the fall term.However, the arbitrator has since confirmed his right to do so.

Schimmelpenninckdeclined to comment Thursday, and directed inquiries to the university's media relations office.

'Unwelcome sexual advance'

The sexual harassment finding dates back to October 2014, when Schimmelpenninck met his students at the local campus bar after his class for drinks.

After the bar closed, he invited a female student and another male student back to his office for more alcohol.

According to the investigation, the male student eventually went home, leaving the female student alone with the professor.

The university conducted an investigation into the matterand hired a lawyer.

The lawyer's investigation found that the incident "involved an unwelcome sexual advance, inappropriate and unwelcome physical touching, comments of a sexual nature, [and] a provocative comment attempting to arrange ongoing intimacy."

"Brock University appreciates that the 2016 incident was a difficult chapter for the university community. In the past three years,Brock has taken significant steps to develop its policies, procedures and resources to more effectively address human rights issues and to better address the well-being of everyone on campus," the statement said.

It says Brockhas taken a number of steps to protect members of its community.

"The university continuously exercises improvements and best practices to address concerns related to sexual assault and harassment, and to ensure a safe environment for the Brock community."

laura.clementson@cbc.ca