CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- MIT has removed a professor's lectures from its online learning platforms following the determination that the professor had engaged in the sexual harassment of a student.
The university announced on Monday that the online physics lectures of retired faculty member Walter Lewin were removed from MIT OpenCourseWare and online MITx courses from edX after school officials determined that Dr. Lewin had engaged in online sexual harassment, which is in violation of MIT policies.
MIT received a complaint in October from an online learner who said she had been sexually harassed by Lewin. The student, who said the harassment began when she was enrolled in one of Lewin's MITx courses, provided information about her own interactions with the professor as well as information about Lewin's interactions with other women online learners.
Based on its investigation, MIT officials determined Lewin's behavior towards the student to be sexual harassment.
Lewin had not been teaching any classes at the time of the complaint, as the professor retired from MIT in 2009, and last taught a course there in 2008. He last taught an online course in 2013.
MIT has indefinitely removed all of Lewin's Courses.
No one answered the door at Lewin's home when a FOX 25 reporter tried to speak to him.
His neighbor, Andy Fallon, says he's known him for two decades.
"From everything I know about Walter, you know, he's kind of an eccentric guy, but aside from that, very warmhearted and nice, a very well-liked professor. So it's surprising, to say the least."
The school's provost released a statement.
"Dr. Lewin had a long and distinguished career at MIT, and it is painful to learn of the behavior that necessitated this action. However complaints of harassment must be met immediately and squarely in all cases."
One student at MIT said he was a good teacher, and said "they should still put his teachings online."