A college professor in California has been put on leave after he was recorded on video mocking a student who is hard of hearing.
Oxnard College professor Michael Abram is seen berating the student in a video clip that went viral, prompting the school to release a news briefing.
"We are taking this incident very seriously. We are currently investigating the situation and following our protocols to address it," says district Chancellor Greg Gillespie.
Abram is reportedly a full-time tenured faculty member who has been teaching for 20 years. In the two-minute clip, he is seen berating a student who claims she is having a hard time understanding what Abram is saying.
The student apparently uses some sort of translator to help her understand what is going on during conversations, but there is a delay.
Abram becomes frustrated with her, believing she is choosing to not pay attention.
"You can hear me a little bit?" Abram says. "Why didn't you answer all the times I spoke to you, then?"
He also adds: "We're going to set up a live Zoom and we're going to have some real communication at some point in time. OK? Maybe you can have your counselor join us. OK? Do you hear me?"
Abram has been put on paid leave as an investigation is conducted.