A professor at Ohio University's Lancaster branch has resigned amid claims he sexually harasseda student, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported on Monday.
According to records provided by the university, a student complained about professor RegisNoroski's behavior in November. In an e-mail, the female student told administrators that shewas scared for her life after being showered with gifts from Noroski.
The professor told university officials it all started when he thought the girl winked at himduring class, Landers reported.
Records showed that Noroski, 61, gave the student a $600 diamond ring, a candle, a lamp, andoffered to take her on a trip to Florida, Landers reported.
The student apparently became more afraid after Noroski allowed her to use his calculator for anexam when she had forgotten her own.
She claimed that Noroski called her after the exam to arrange to get the calculator back,and she ended up at his home in Thornville.
After getting a tour of his home, the student said Noroski drove her back to her parents'house. A few days later she e-mailed the university. She wrote, "I was absolutelyscared for my life and I thought I was never going to see my family again."
The university called the incident sexual harassment and informed Noroski in January that heneeded to stay away from campus and the student, Landers reported.
Three weeks later he turned in his letter of resignation, saying he was leaving because a memberof his family had been hospitalized.
Attempts to reach Noroski for comment on Monday were not successful.
A neighbor told 10TV News that Noroski moved to Pittsburgh and told him before he moved that hehad lost his job because of budget cuts, Landers reported.
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