How UWM is Handling the Arrest of One of its Professors

The arrest of UWM professor Anthony Azenabor, who is accused of sexually assaulting a student, has some students wondering what UWM is trying to keep behind closed doors.

Azenabor was arrested on March 3 and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, use of force and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault. While different news publications scrambled to report the latest news, UWM stayed silent about numerous questions posed by student journalists, telling them to file an open records request to get basic information addressed (such as when UWM first learned of the accusations against Azenabor). That request is still pending, although with two others to get any complaints against Azenabor, as well as his teaching evaluations.

You can see a list of questions Media Milwaukee asked the university on March 4 here.

The school’s Chancellor Mark Mone did send out a brief statement about Azenabor’s arrest. The statement mentioned, “UWM is committed to maintaining a safe environment for everyone, and we always encourage students, faculty and staff who believe they have been victimized to come forward and speak to police and other resource offices listed below.”   

One fact that the statement from Chancellor Mark Mone left out was the fact that the alleged assault took place in the basement of Enderis hall, according to the criminal complaint. This had some students, like senior Marissa Whited, more worried than when they first heard about the assault.

“I’m an education major so I’m in Enderis every day,” said Whited. “So that kind of freaks me out a lot more now that I know that.”

She was also concerned that the school chose not to immediately disclose the information sought in Media Milwaukee’s questions to the rest of the students, and was even more shocked to find out about the allegations from last spring and the months-long fight it took for student journalists to access the records of sexual harassment and assault accusations made on campus. UWM argued that its open records office was understaffed, and it was complying with open records laws, despite the delays. 

“They should never have tried to hide something like that,” said Whited. “Hiding it is like blaming the victim in a way.”

The criminal complaint filed by the prosecution details the alleged assault and misconduct that occurred last spring. The two second-degree assaults detail alleged forced sexual intercourse as well as physical contact without consent. These alleged assaults took place over the course of three months. Azenabor had been the victim’s advisor while working to achieve her PhD. She detailed the sexual comments and unwarranted behavior leading up to the alleged assault. She also states that after one of the assaults he told her not to “spread lies about him.” She ultimately chose not to report these actions for fear that she would not gain her PhD. Azenabor has declined to comment to student journalists.

Jennifer Doll, the chair of the Biomedical Sciences Department, also refused to comment on the incident. Instead an email from Michelle Johnson, Senior Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications, was sent on behalf of Doll.

The message on behalf of Doll stated: “The biomedical program continues to move forward with our dedicated staff and a full array of courses offered this semester. We have been sharing information about campus support services with staff members and students so they can seek assistance if they feel they need it. But, we are focused on ensuring the continued academic success of our students.”

“It makes me feel like they’re secretive and that they’re trying to hide things that really happened,” said Wade.

Michelle Johnson also warned that, “Many staff members are reluctant to discuss this situation while the criminal case is pending.” This proved to be true when Cindy Brown, a coordinator for the Biomedical Sciences laboratory undergrad programs, politely declined an interview. She stated that they had been told by the legal department to direct all questions to Communications. This had some students raising eyebrows at the way in which UWM handles these types of situations. Brooke Wade, a sophomore, thinks the school should be more transparent in the future.

She also thinks the school should be more open to keep students informed and feeling safe.

“As a female student I would like to know those things, I already feel like I have to be cautious enough, said Wade. “Campus is somewhere I should feel safe and not have to worry.”

Currently, other student journalists are attempting to gain access to records associated with Azenabor, such as any complaints made against him and his teaching evaluations. However, they are again being met with resistance from UWM. Jennifer Doll is also still refusing any interviews.