Ethan Putterman Dismissed After Investigation into Inappropriate Behaviour Towards Student
A professor from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has been dismissed after an internal investigation found that he had acted inappropriately and unprofessionally towards a student. The investigation followed allegations of sexual misconduct, and the police are currently involved.
Ethan Putterman, an associate professor in the Political Science Department at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), had been with the university since 2001. He was a specialist in Western political thought and was in his mid to late 50s. Mothership learned that he was dismissed on April 27, following a tip-off about the incident, which had initially been reported to NUS on March 3. The misconduct reportedly took place on the NUS campus.
Although Putterman initially resigned, he was later formally dismissed after the internal investigation concluded. His resignation was announced to his colleagues on April 21, but students were not immediately informed. They were notified of his termination during online sessions with faculty members on April 27.
An NUS FASS spokesperson emphasised the university’s zero tolerance for staff misconduct. Following the complaint, the university issued a no-contact order to prevent the professor from interacting with the student and suspended him while the investigation took place.
The investigation revealed that Putterman’s conduct violated the university’s Code of Conduct, leading to the termination of his employment. NUS also filed a police report, and the police investigation is ongoing. The university confirmed that it is providing ongoing support to the affected student.
This marks the fourth public case of an NUS staff member being dismissed for inappropriate behaviour towards students in the last 18 months, with another professor from the same department, Theodore G Hopf, also found to have engaged in sexual misconduct.
