Julie Lythcott-Haims issued a statement yesterday in response to an essay by her former lover. See related story.
“Recently, Olivia Haas published a piece describing her relationship with her college dean. I was that dean.
“Ms. Haas’ memories and feelings about her experience in a relationship with me are valid. We’d been writing and recording music together and got to a point where we expressed love for each other. That is where it should have ended. I should not have taken it further. While I was not in a position of authority over her grades or academic status at the university, being in a relationship with a student was inappropriate when it happened thirteen years ago, and it would be inappropriate now.
“A year after the relationship started, it ended. I resigned from my position. I focused on learning from my mistakes and doing the work necessary to repair where repair was possible.
“I apologized privately to Ms. Haas years ago. Now I want to publicly apologize to her for my actions and their impact on her. I also apologize to my former colleagues and students who had the right to expect better of me. And to members of my extended family for whom the public airing of this matter may be difficult.
“I am grateful for the support of my amazing partner and our adult children, and for the grace that has been shown to me along the way.”