Sexual harassment allegations in student petition call for immediate termination of peace studies professor

A petition was created Sept. 9 alleging Rozell "Prexy" Nesbitt has been targeting female students with harassment, misconduct and sexually explicit language. Photo by EMILY PARIS, photo editor

Multiple students and alumni have come forward with an online petition alleging that a Chapman University peace studies professor has been sexually harassing female students, with minimal response from the university months after initial complaints.

The petition argues that Rozell "Prexy" Nesbitt’s conduct toward students has been inappropriate and improper. The description claims that multiple students have come forward with complaints to on-campus departments like the Title IX office, Human Resources and department heads for both Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the peace studies department — but no administrator has taken any action.

“Nesbitt has continued communication with students through the summer, including taking them out for food and asking them for rides both short and long distance, and maintained planning independent studies for the current semester,” the petition reads. “He has continued to use his power and privilege to take advantage of students. The problem has persisted.” 

Nesbitt teaches in the peace studies department, where he has been employed since 2019. This semester, he was placed on administrative leave shortly before the start of fall courses.

“This is a call to the Administration, specifically the Peace Studies Department and Wilkinson College, to have Rozell ‘Prexy’ Nesbitt permanently released from his position as a professor, and no longer recognized as a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University, effective immediately,” the petition reads. ‘“Administrative leave’ is not a solution. He still poses a grave danger to students.”

Multiple administrators refused to comment on the allegations or disclose to The Panther any reasoning regarding why Nesbitt was placed on administrative leave.

The petition claims that students initially reported allegations of sexual harassment to the university in January 2022.

“Between January and May, numerous students came forward… Title IX was quick to dismiss the reports and offered no type of resolution or support for the students who came forward,” the petition reads. “The Peace Studies Department and Title IX let him continue to teach despite their knowledge of his misconduct.”  

The petition’s description is signed by 14 current and previous students. So far, over 200 people have supported the petition.

The Panther sent inquiries to Jennifer Keene, the dean of Wilkinson College, Lisa Leitz, chair of the peace studies department, and Norma Bouchard — Chapman’s executive vice president, provost and chief academic officer — for comment, but received no response.

Instead, Jamie Ceman, the vice president of strategic marketing and communications, reached out to The Panther on behalf of the faculty members listed above with the following statement:

“The University takes allegations of misconduct very seriously and follows a methodical process to investigate and evaluate accusations and take appropriate action when warranted. The investigation process is confidential, and we do not comment on specific cases, but individuals involved in the process are given the opportunity to fully participate and provide all necessary information to assist in a resolution of the matter. Where appropriate, supportive measures are available to the parties, such as no contact orders and other accommodations. The University’s process is applied consistently, and it promotes fairness and accountability, while providing proper protections to students and others involved.”

This is a developing story. The Panther is investigating the reasoning behind Nesbitt’s placement on administrative leave and misconduct allegations by Chapman students and alumni. The Panther will continue to publish information regarding the investigation as more information comes to light.

Some students have come to The Panther with similar allegations. The Panther is actively searching for sources willing to go on the record to corroborate these claims.