MA-1: Morse accused of inappropriate sexual relations with college students

[Mike Thick]

In the statement, Morse referenced the difficulties of growing up gay and closeted, and how he struggled with accepting his identity throughout high school.

“As I’ve become more comfortable with myself and my sexuality, like any young, single, openly gay man, I have had consensual adult relationships, including some with college students,” Morse said. “Navigating life as both a young gay man and an elected official can be difficult, but that doesn’t excuse poor judgment.”

Shades of Kevin Spacey. Being gay is not an excuse for sexual misconduct, people!

[Mike Thick]

In the statement, Morse referenced the difficulties of growing up gay and closeted, and how he struggled with accepting his identity throughout high school.

“As I’ve become more comfortable with myself and my sexuality, like any young, single, openly gay man, I have had consensual adult relationships, including some with college students,” Morse said. “Navigating life as both a young gay man and an elected official can be difficult, but that doesn’t excuse poor judgment.”

Shades of Kevin Spacey. Being gay is not an excuse for sexual misconduct, people!

Kevin Spacey preyed on underaged kids, was a sexual harasser, and was also much older than Morse, who’s only 31. I’m not going to defend what Morse did as someone running for office or as an instructor at a school, because consensual relationships with 18-year-olds are a bad idea and not fully consensual in those circumstances, but if he planned to run for office, he needed to behave better.

Was referring to this, not comparing the obviously different levels of misconduct here

[Mike Thick]

I’ve read and reread the article, and I’m conflicted. Seems very carefully worded to imply but avoid actually saying:
 - That anyone has accused him of using status to pressure College Dems, or anyone, into sex
 - That he sexually harassed/propositioned anyone via Instagram DM or otherwise
 - That he had sex with any of his students

The worst thing that’s directly alleged is that he slept with students at the college, which is apparently a violation of UMass policy but not this massively awful ethical breach people are making it out to be. There’s definitely a weird power dynamic between elected officials and College Dems, but (again) all that’s directly alleged is that he hit people up to talk and put them on his Close Friends when they weren’t comfortable with it.

Whole thing just seems very weird. Not sure who’s “right,” or if anyone is.

[Mike Thick]

I’ve read and reread the article, and I’m conflicted. Seems very carefully worded to imply but avoid actually saying:
 - That anyone has accused him of using status to pressure College Dems, or anyone, into sex
 - That he sexually harassed/propositioned anyone via Instagram DM or otherwise
 - That he had sex with any of his students

The worst thing that’s directly alleged is that he slept with students at the college, which is apparently a violation of UMass policy but not this massively awful ethical breach people are making it out to be. There’s definitely a weird power dynamic between elected officials and College Dems, but (again) all that’s directly alleged is that he hit people up to talk and put them on his Close Friends when they weren’t comfortable with it.

Whole thing just seems very weird. Not sure who’s “right,” or if anyone is.

Actually it's not, unless they were his students or he advised them or anything like that.

Good catch.

Effective immediately, faculty are prohibited from entering into a sexual relationship with any student or postdoc for whom the faculty member has any responsibility for supervision, evaluation, grading, advising, employment, or other instructional or supervisory activity. Relationships that predate the policy or that began before the faculty member assumed the responsibilities, the relationship must be disclosed to the faculty member’s immediate supervisor and, if possible, give up the supervisory or instructional responsibilities.

[Mike Thick]

https://twitter.com/collegedemsofma/status/1292521048861220864?s=21

[Mike Thick]

What a mess. Sorry that I ever bought this crap

[Mike Thick]

Business Insider reporter

https://twitter.com/grace_panetta/status/1293731135319662593?s=21