University of Maryland Professor David Weber has resigned following complaints of discrimination from a group of Chinese students and reporting by WAMU into the allegations. The students said Weber discriminated and harassed them on the basis of race and national origin arising from seven incidents throughout several weeks last fall.

Weber accused a group of Chinese international students of cheating on their final forensic audit exams in November 2018. Weber says he intended to uphold the academic honesty policies at the University of Maryland, but that the university didn’t adequately support professors.

Weber’s lawyer Brian Mahany sent a statement saying, “David Weber has voluntarily resigned. I am not able to comment further.”

In a statement sent to WAMU on Monday, a spokesperson for the University of Maryland said all of its students, including international students, should be treated with respect.

“When allegations of discrimination are received, they are forwarded for investigation and due process is followed. The employee in question has resigned his employment and is no longer teaching at the University.”

Several Chinese students said Weber’s language made them feel targeted. Within their official complaint to the university, they wrote that Weber told the class statements like, “All Chinese students cheat their way into the U.S.”

Weber told WAMU last month that the verbal and written statements were misquoted or taken out of context.

Mahany says Weber referred to the students’ nationality when he accused them of cheating because the consequences for international students are so steep.

Students found guilty of cheating at the University of Maryland receive an “XF” on their transcripts, which means they failed because of academic dishonesty. They can also be expelled from school. International students would likely lose their visas, making it unlawful for them to remain in the country.

A spokesperson for the University of Maryland couldn’t comment on the conclusion of its investigation due to privacy regulations.

This story was originally published on WAMU.

Previously:
Chinese Students At UMD Say Their Professor Targeted Them With Cheating Accusations