- Shewchuk taught computer science at the famous liberal arts school since 1998
- “Almost every other place on the planet is better for” finding a girlfriend, he wrote
- Shewchuk was forced to apologize, but the students are preparing a complaint
A Berkeley professor has been forced to apologize after offending Bay Area women by telling a student seeking advice to ‘get out if you want a girlfriend’.
Jonathan Shewchuk, 55, who teaches computer science at the state-funded school, was on an online discussion forum answering a question about how to find friendship.
‘If you want a girlfriend, get out of the Bay Area. Almost every other place on the planet is better for it,’ he wrote.
The university confirmed that Shewchuk’s comments were genuine. He has taught at the school since 1998.
‘I’m not kidding at all. You would be shocked at the stark differences in the behavior of women in places where there are many women compared to their behavior within gun range of San Jose and San Francisco,” he added.
Jonathan Shewchuk, who teaches computer science at the state-funded school, was on an online discussion forum answering a question about how to find companionship
Shewchuk was forced to apologize after Berkeley’s computer science department chair Stuart Russell and electrical engineering and computer science chair Claire Tomlin spoke to him.
‘I apologize for my response…which caused ill feelings which I did not intend,’ he later wrote on the same forum.
‘I did not intend to convey any disrespect to women or anyone else, or to blame the blameless. I value all my students. I am sorry for my words and for how it made many of you feel.’
He went on to suggest that his intentions were good and meant to help a student who needed advice, according to SFGate.
‘I hope you will understand that my comment was motivated by sympathy for (the student) and a desire to help students. Life is hard sometimes. I feel for all of you who are having a hard time, for whatever reason. Things can get better, and that starts with empathy for each other.’
A school spokesman criticized Shewchuk’s comments.
“We want to be absolutely clear that the offensive content of the original post goes against the values and principles of community we uphold at UC Berkeley,” said Roqua Montez.
‘The comment was hurtful and threatening to students – particularly women – in his class and beyond.’
The university confirmed that Shewchuk’s comments were genuine. He has been teaching at the school since 1998 (pictured with wife)
Shewchuk was forced to apologize after Berkeley’s computer science department chair Stuart Russell and electrical engineering and computer science chair Claire Tomlin spoke to him
He suggested that his intentions were good and intended to help a student who needed advice
According to school publication The Daily Cal, Shewchuk is known for what students describe as ‘offensive’ and ‘misogynistic’ comments.
They reported that Shewchuk removed comments mocking pronouns from a public profile following the controversy.
In the joke, he said he identifies as a ‘Smith & Wesson 460XVR .45 caliber revolver’ and uses the pronouns ‘death/death/deathself’.
Noemi Chulo, a former student and union representative, says she is preparing a complaint against him.
“Shewchuk teaches about 700 students, and he gets to have this impact on that many students, even though he’s at least been a known thorn in the side of EECS for years,” Chulo said.
‘It’s disappointing but not surprising.’
DailyMail.com has contacted Professor Shewchuk for comment.
