By Hamida Ghafour and Caroline Alphonso
The Architecture Course Union is waiting for the university to tell them what’s happening to one of their professors.
Professor Maurice Lerman, who left this term, is being investigated by the school.
“I’ve been trying to find out more, but getting information has been like pulling teeth and nails,” said Clinton Hugh, ACU president. “It kind of bothers me because we are the liaison between the students and faculty and it’s all so hush-hush.”
Lerman has been a full-time architecture professor since 1990. This year he was teaching project management.
Some of Lerman’s students said he went out of his way to help them with their studies, sometimes coming in on weekends when students requested.
Amy Chan, a fourth-year architecture student, had Lerman as her thesis advisor last semester, but now that he’s gone, she has a different professor. Chan said that she, along with 28 other thesis students, were told Lerman was on extended leave.
But despite questions from students, the university refuses to comment on why Lerman left or why he is being investigated.
Larissa Allen, Ryerson’s executive director of human resources, would not comment on the case when approached by an Eyeopener reporter. “Personnel matters are never discussed,” she said before slamming the door in the reporter’s face.
Terry Gillin, chair of appeals for the Ryerson Faculty Association, said he realized students are concerned and rumours are circulating, but that “there’s no way for [him] to address that publicly.”
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