- Shewchuk has taught computer science at the famous liberal school since 1998
- “Almost everywhere on the planet it is better to” find a girlfriend, he wrote
- Shewchuk was forced to apologize, but students are drafting a complaint
A Berkeley professor has been forced to apologize after offending Bay Area women by telling a student asking for advice to “go away if you want a girlfriend.”
Jonathan Shewchuk, who teaches computer science at the state-funded school, answered a question on an online discussion board about how to find companionship.
“If you want a girlfriend, get out of the Bay Area. It’s better almost everywhere on the planet,” he wrote.
The university confirmed that Shewchuk’s comments were real. He has been teaching at the school since 1998.
‘I’m not kidding at all. You will be shocked at the stark differences in women’s behavior in places where women are plentiful versus their behavior within artillery range of San Jose and San Francisco,” he added.
Jonathan Shewchuk, who teaches computer science at the state-funded school, answered a question on an online discussion board about how to find companionship
Shewchuk was forced to apologize after Stuart Russell, chairman of Berkeley’s computer science department, and electrical engineering and computer science chair Claire Tomlin spoke with him.
“I apologize for my response…which caused bad feelings that I did not intend,” he later wrote on the same forum.
“My intention was not to convey any disrespect for women or anyone for that matter, nor to place blame on the innocent. I appreciate all my students. I’m sorry for my words and how they made many of you feel.”
He further suggested that his intentions were good and intended to help a student who needed advice SFGoes.
“I hope you understand that my comment was motivated by sympathy for (the student) and a desire to help students. Life is difficult sometimes. I sympathize with you who are having a hard time, for whatever reason. Things can be better, and it starts with empathy for each other.’
A school spokesperson denounced Shewchuk’s comments.
“We want to be absolutely clear that the offensive content of the original post is contrary to the community values and principles we adhere to at UC Berkeley,” Roqua Montez said.
“The comment was hurtful and threatening to students – especially women – in his class and beyond.”
The university confirmed that Shewchuk’s comments were real. He has been teaching at the school since 1998 (photo with woman)
Shewchuk was forced to apologize after Berkeley computer science department chair Stuart Russell and electrical engineering and computer science chair Claire Tomlin spoke to him
He suggested that his intentions were good and intended to help a student who needed advice
According to the school publication The Daily Cal, Shewchuk is known for what students describe as “offensive” and “misogynistic” comments.
They reported that after the controversy, Shewchuk deleted comments that mocked pronouns from a public profile.
In the joke, he said he identifies as a “Smith & Wesson 460XVR .45 caliber revolver” and uses the pronouns “death/deathem/deathself.”
Noemi Chulo, a former student and union representative, says she is preparing a complaint against him.
“Shewchuk teaches about 700 students and he is allowed to have this impact on so many students even though he has been a thorn in the side of EECS for years, at the very least,” Chulo said.
“It’s disappointing, but not surprising.”
DailyMail.com has contacted Professor Shewchuk for comment.
