President of the University of Southern California C.L. Max Nikias agreed to withdraw following allegations of sexual misconduct against George Tyndall, a former gynecologist at the school health clinic.
The board of directors of the USC made the announcement on Friday.
"Today, President Nikias and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees agreed to begin an orderly transition and begin the process of selecting a new president," the statement said. "We recognize the need for change and are committed to a stable transition."
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Times reported that Tyndall, who worked as the sole gynecologist in the USC student health clinic for nearly 30 years, had been repeatedly accused of touching students inappropriately during exams, lewd comments and taking pictures of their patients' genitals. Tyndall allegedly addressed Chinese international students, some of whom were not familiar with US medical practices.
Tyndall was suspended in 2016 after a nurse informed the campus violation crisis center about complaints against her. However, school officials gave Tyndall an agreement that allowed him to resign with a financial payment, instead of being fired, according to the Times
Following the history of the LA Times, 200 faculty members signed a letter asking Nikias to step down as president. Several petitions made similar demands.
On Tuesday, former graduate student Lucy Chi filed a class action lawsuit against Tyndall, USC and the board of directors.
"Our goal is for hundreds, if not thousands, of women who were raped by Dr. Tyndall to have a voice and be compensated for the horrible acts they experienced," attorney Elizabeth Fegan told HuffPost on Tuesday. . "Our goal is to hold the USC responsible for trying to eliminate this series of decades-old abuses of its reputation and to silence these women."
In the complaint, Chi says she had an appointment with Tyndall in 2012, during which he penetrated her with his fingers and "caressed" her breasts in a way "very different from the way doctors usually use their fingertips to verify their fingers. if there are irregularities in a woman's breasts. "
The lawsuit also alleges that the doctor made special efforts to impersonate Chinese students.
"Dr. The fact that Tyndall stood out for Chinese students further highlights the predatory nature of his actions, "Fegan said. Tyndall prepared these women and knew they were vulnerable. He looked for every opportunity to take advantage of them. "
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