Music professor resigns amid allegations of grooming and sexual assault
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
TW: This story contains details of grooming and sexual abuse.
Last week I reported that a music professor at one of the country’s most prestigious performing arts colleges was under investigation after allegations of grooming and sexual assault were brought forward by one of his former students. I have since learned that the music professor has resigned.
While he was not named in my reporting, according to sources, William Hussey has resigned as Program Director of Core Studies at Roosevelt’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. His information has been removed from the school’s website.
Just over a week ago, I published a report that a former student, Emily Zwijack, had posted allegations on Instagram of grooming and sexual abuse at the hands of Mr. Hussey. The account, “sashassastory”, includes detailed and disturbing allegations of abuse that lasted over multiple years and took many forms, from psychological, spiritual, and physical.
William Hussey
Emily states that the grooming began during her second year at the school. She first confided in the professor after discovering her mom was diagnosed with cancer. The professor then would use their Catholic faith to build further trust between the two. After that, the professor initiated more intimate conversations and delved into more private matters such as relationships and sex.
In her posts, Emily showed screenshots of illicit texts and images Mr. Hussey sent her.
According to the allegations, Mr. Hussey would later sexually abuse Emily on multiple occasions, including in his office at the university.
The university had begun a Title IX investigation, but Mr. Hussey would be allowed on campus and to continue teaching while the investigation was ongoing. A petition had been circulating to demand that he be removed from campus while being investigated. Now that he has resigned, there will be no investigation.
This is the second time within the last five years that a faculty member has resigned due to allegations of sexual abuse or harassment. In 2019, we reported that former students brought allegations of racial discrimination and sexual harassment against professors at the school.
Some of the allegations of sexual harassment involved Associate Dean and Director of Theatre at the time, Sean Kelley. A petition circulated calling for Mr. Kelley’s removal. While it is unknown if any investigations occurred, Mr. Kelley is no longer employed by Roosevelt University.
I believe that students, like Emily, at Roosevelt University need to feel safe on that campus. After this latest incident, I think the university needs to conduct thorough investigations and implement stricter Title IX training. Students are putting everything they have into success in these programs.
They’re putting their time, money, mental health, and everything into doing their best. The last thing they need is lecherous professors who intentionally take advantage of them.
I hope this serves as a warning to any educator doing the same.