Manchester By The Sea director Kenneth Lonergan is backing Casey Affleck and criticizing the sexual harassment allegations against the actor in a recent article published in the Wesleyan University school newspaper.

Last week, the Wesleyan Argus published an op-ed by a student who took the school to task for being complicit in Afflecks sexual misconduct by hailing Lonergan, who was in the class of 1984, for his Best Original Screenplay Oscar win.

Wesleyan University cannot insist on claiming credit for Kenneth Lonergan unless they also acknowledge their complicity in the success of a perpetrator of sexual violence, student Connor Aberle wrote. Lonergan essentially won Affleck his Oscar by handpicking Affleck for his movie. A famous actors connections enable them to continue their success, and we must be cautious about praising enablers, especially when they help sexual harassers. Wesleyan cannot have it both ways; it can either be true to its progressive brand or it can indiscriminately praise every semi-notable success from alumni (and even students who transferred out).

Sexual harassment allegations were filed against Affleck in a civil suit back in 2010. The actor denied the accusations and countersued, but ultimately settled out of court.