And it's that open connection with students that has caused many of them to contact Sullivan in Schaffer's defense. Frustrated with the loss of his job, Schaffer e-mailed his former students to let them know he would no longer be teaching at GW, and asked them to e-mail Sullivan in protest.
"I am extremely upset at the thought of you firing professor Schaffer," senior Noah Rothstein wrote in an e-mail to Sullivan, which was provided by Schaffer. "There must be an understanding that when taking sex education at the collegiate level, the class will delve into awkward and often uncomfortable sexual topics in order to help raise understanding and awareness so one can lead a more sexually safe life."
"I understand GW has a need to cover their behinds and have long seen money come before education at this school, but firing professor Schaffer is a disservice to every student who would have taken his class in the future," Rothstein said.
Several students told Sullivan that Schaffer's course was so informative they would like to see it replace the Columbian College of Arts and Science's mandatory freshman advising workshop.
"As a female it never crossed my mind to feel uncomfortable around Professor Schaffer. I would often stay after class to ask personal questions," alumna Lucy Pear wrote in an e-mail to Sullivan, which was provided by Schaffer.
Schaffer said despite his protests, he is becoming resigned to the fact that he may never teach at GW again. He added that he's begun looking for part-time teaching positions at other area universities, but would like to meet with University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg to discuss his situation.
"I would jump at the chance (to work at GW again)," Schaffer, who has a full-time job at the Prince George's County Public Schools' Department of Human Resources, said. "I really, really enjoyed it. It's what I was excited to do."
"I am extremely upset at the thought of you firing professor Schaffer," senior Noah Rothstein wrote in an e-mail to Sullivan, which was provided by Schaffer. "There must be an understanding that when taking sex education at the collegiate level, the class will delve into awkward and often uncomfortable sexual topics in order to help raise understanding and awareness so one can lead a more sexually safe life."
"I understand GW has a need to cover their behinds and have long seen money come before education at this school, but firing professor Schaffer is a disservice to every student who would have taken his class in the future," Rothstein said.
Several students told Sullivan that Schaffer's course was so informative they would like to see it replace the Columbian College of Arts and Science's mandatory freshman advising workshop.
"As a female it never crossed my mind to feel uncomfortable around Professor Schaffer. I would often stay after class to ask personal questions," alumna Lucy Pear wrote in an e-mail to Sullivan, which was provided by Schaffer.
Schaffer said despite his protests, he is becoming resigned to the fact that he may never teach at GW again. He added that he's begun looking for part-time teaching positions at other area universities, but would like to meet with University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg to discuss his situation.
"I would jump at the chance (to work at GW again)," Schaffer, who has a full-time job at the Prince George's County Public Schools' Department of Human Resources, said. "I really, really enjoyed it. It's what I was excited to do."
