Stephen Shipps was named in an article in The Michigan Daily alleging instances of sexual misconduct spanning nearly 40 years
According to an email obtained by University of Michigan student newspaper The Michigan Daily, Stephen Shipps will be retiring in May 2019 from the university’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) following the newspaper’s investigation collecting allegations of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct spanning four decades.
No charges have been brought against Shipps and neither he, his lawyer nor the University of Michigan have issued any response to the allegations.
The Michigan Daily published an email sent by Sphipps to his current students explaining that he was on administrative leave with immediate effect, would be retiring officially on 31 May 2019, and had been asked by SMTD dean David A. Gier not to have further contact with his class.
The newspaper’s original article included accusations of unwelcome touching, sexual assault, prolonged sexual relationships with students, and misogynistic and sexist verbal statements.
Shipps was hired on 1 September 1989 as an associate professor of music by the university, where he has continued to have a successful career.
From 2001 to 2004, he served on the Executive Committee of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. From 2002 to 2007, he served as the associate dean for academic affairs.
Most recently, he was chair of strings and the faculty director of the Strings Preparatory Academy, a university-affiliated pre-college music programme.
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