Northwestern announced today that Peter Ludlow, formerly a professor of philosophy, resigned his post as of Monday, Nov. 2.
In 2012, a student filed a sexual harrassment complaint against Ludlow for what the University concluded were "unwelcome and inappropriate sexual advances" during a non-academic trip to an art show at Columbia College Chicago. Today's press release reiterates that conclusion.
"Ludlow’s actions violated University policy and are an affront to the standards and expectations that Northwestern University has for its faculty members. The University regrets the pain that was caused by his actions," the press release reads in part.
In February of last year, the student filed a follow-up suit against Northwestern under Title IX, alleging that the school failed to follow through with any "disciplinary or corrective actions." This suit was accompanied by a civil suit several weeks later filed against Ludlow himself for damages under Illinois's Gender Violence Act.
The student's Title IX suit against Northwestern was dismissed in November of last year (a decision which was upheld in March), but sparked a University-wide re-examination of sexual misconduct policies. In response to protests, Northwestern announced he would not teach in Spring Quarter 2014, and Ludlow has not taught since.
Ludlow himself filed a suit against Northwestern for alleged defamation and Title IX violations in the University's investigation; this suit was later dismissed.
North by Northwestern will update this story as more information becomes available.