Chemistry professor Hosmane denies charges against him
Chemistry professor Dr. Ramachandra Hosmane, a prominent UMBC faculty member, has been charged with second degree assault and a fourth degree sexual offense in connection with a September 9 incident in the Meyerhoff Chemistry building.
The alleged victim, a female UMBC graduate student and PhD candidate, made a complaint to UMBC police on September 13, accusing 64-year-old Hosmane, of sexual harassment. Police refused to comment.
The victim filed a peace order petition on September 14. A temporary peace order was issued; however, the case was dismissed on September 21 after the victim requested dismissal. However, criminal charges have also been filed against Hosmane. The complainant is UMBC Police Officer Torain.
Hosmane, who has been with UMBC for the past twenty-seven years, teaches a number of upper level chemistry courses, and also serves as the head of the Hosmane Research Group.
"I vehemently and emphatically deny all charges of sexual assault lodged against me," Hosmane said in a statement to The Retriever Weekly last week. Hosmane claimed his accuser "has falsely and maliciously accused me of the crimes I did not commit… One cannot build a brick tower on a sand foundation; sooner or later it is going to collapse. Similarly, one cannot produce a documentary based on lies, deceptions and distortions; it will simply look like fiction." Hosmane also said, "I am confident that all pending criminal charges against me at the court as well as the university will be… dismissed."
Students who have worked under the Hosmane Research Group for several years expressed shock to The Retriever Weekly. One particular student said, "I really appreciate him in all respects; he is a great mentor, and a great person at heart… He is someone we all looked up to as a role model for a father, personal friend, as well as a professional advisor."
Alexandra Evans, a biology major, and former student of Hosmane's, also expressed disbelief. "I can't believe it. He was one of my favorite professors."
The Maryland Association for Higher Education named Hosmane Outstanding Educator of the Year (2000-2001). The American Chemical Society also named him Maryland Chemist of the Year in 2002. Hosmane has achieved a series of other awards and honors throughout his academic career, including Outstanding Mentor of the Year, UMBC Presidential Research Professor, and UMBC Presidential Teaching Professor.
John Singleton, an attorney representing the alleged victim, told The Retriever Weekly he was "confident that UMBC is acting swiftly but prudently to contain the damage that has been inflicted and to ensure that the UMBC community is protected." He emphasized that a zero tolerance policy must be followed. "It would be shameful indeed to allow students to be pressured into supporting and covering up the acts of a wrongdoer, as they also become victims," he noted.
UMBC's Senior Director of Communications Eleanor Lewis issued the following statement on behalf of the UMBC administration with regards to Hosmane's charges, "We want to assure the campus community that appropriate campus offices are responding with actions consistent with UMBC's applicable policies. Members of the university faculty and staff are providing support to the student as she continues with her studies."
The trial is scheduled for January 6 2010 at the Catonsville District Court.
Comments
Copyright: The Retriever Weekly
By Rima Kikani can be contacted by using our contact form and selecting the section this article was written for.
Printer Friendly Version
Email a Friend
RSS