Two Women File Suit Over BU Professor's Alleged Sexual Harassment, Administrative Inaction

Boston, MA - Two women are accusing a Boston University professor of repeat sexual harassment and allege the university did not appropriately intervene, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in Suffolk County Superior Court.

Internationally acclaimed horn player and BU professor Eric Ruske is the target of the suit, which includes text messages, emails and alleged inappropriate conversations between the professor and his students.

The suit alleges sexual harassment and sexual discrimination under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination under educational programs or activities. Boston University is one of six Massachusetts schools under open Title IX investigations, and has been since 2014, according to a U.S. Department of Education list released last spring.

Text transcripts included in Tuesday's complaint show Ruske explicitly commenting on then-student Maria Currie's heels and blouse, in one instance jokingly referring to himself as a "creepy old man." It also recounts a conversation with Currie, during which Ruske allegedly compared her trumpet performance to sexual intercourse.

Student Erin Shyr, an oboist, is also part of the suit, which alleges Ruske requested photos of her, repeatedly referred to her appearance and instigated hugs, kisses on the cheek and other in-person, inappropriate behavior.

The nut of the case against BU is the school's response when Shyr brought these issues forward. The suit alleges an administrator told Shyr that, due to Ruske's “vibrant and effusive” personality, he may have been unaware that he violated BU’s Title IX policies.

The university did not remove Ruske from his position or prevent him from grading Shyr's work, according to the complaint. An attempt to consolidate the harassment complaints and demonstrate a pattern of behavior fizzled as well, the suit alleges. The university did not clearly indicate wrongdoing or provide documentation on the investigation, it said.

"BU nurtured an environment where faculty members understand that if they harass one of their students, they will face few, if any, consequences," the suit alleges.

According to his university voicemail, Ruske is out of the country until mid-June. Patch has reached out to the professor and left calls for comment with his manager in the U.S.

University spokesman Colin Riley said he has not yet seen a copy of the complaint, and could not comment.

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