Palo Alto Councilmember and New York Times best-selling author Julie Lythcott-Haims has publicly acknowledged her involvement in an inappropriate relationship with a former student during her tenure as a dean at Stanford University over a decade ago. The revelation came to light when the student, Olivia Swanson Haas, published a detailed account titled “I Had an Affair with My College Dean” on the website Autostraddle, as reported by the Palo Alto Weekly.
In her essay, Haas did not explicitly name Lythcott-Haims but referred to her as a “school celebrity.” Lythcott-Haims confirmed her identity in a statement on her website, expressing remorse for her actions. Haas described the year-long affair and its lasting impact on her, grappling with the complexities of a relationship that existed in a gray area between love and abuse. She acknowledged her own eagerness for Lythcott-Haims’ affection and the confusion it caused.
Lythcott-Haims clarified that she was not in a position of authority over Haas’ academic status or grades. However, she acknowledged that engaging in a relationship with a student was inappropriate then and would be inappropriate now. She admitted that the relationship should have ended when they expressed love for each other while collaborating on music.
Haas recounted how she eventually ended the affair, returned home, and involved her parents, who were horrified by the situation. Words like manipulation and abuse of power were used, leading Haas to view her once-beloved story through a different lens. Her mother filed an anonymous report with the university, prompting Lythcott-Haims to announce her resignation and pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Since leaving Stanford in 2012, Lythcott-Haims has authored books, including the New York Times best-seller “How to Raise an Adult,” and currently serves on the Palo Alto City Council. She recently ran for the position of U.S. Representative but did not fare well in the election.
Lythcott-Haims privately apologized to Haas years ago, and now she publicly expresses remorse for her actions and their impact on Haas. She also extends her apologies to her former colleagues, students, and extended family members who had expected better from her.
2 Responses
“Nobody is perfect, and everybody makes mistakes. The important thing is to acknowledge those mistakes, take responsibility, and work towards growth and redemption.”
This quote resonates with the post because it highlights the importance of owning up to one’s past mistakes and taking responsibility for them. Julie Lythcott-Haims’ public acknowledgment of her inappropriate relationship shows her willingness to confront her past actions and be accountable for them. It is a reminder that we are all fallible and capable of making poor choices,
In this post, it is mentioned that Julie Lythcott-Haims, a Palo Alto Councilmember and author, has admitted to being involved in an inappropriate relationship with a former student while she was a dean at Stanford University more than ten years ago.
My insight on this matter is that it is a serious issue that raises concerns about professional ethics and boundaries. It is important for educators and those in positions of authority to maintain appropriate relationships with their students, as any breach of trust can have significant consequences.