April 26, 2008

Student Falls Unconscious at Professor's Home and Dies

Michael Todd, a psychology professor at Paradise Valley Community College, was placed on paid administrative leave after one of his students fell into a coma at his North Phoenix home and died last week, according to a report in the East Valley Tribune.

The Phoenix Fire Department responded to a call of an unconscious woman early last Sunday morning. At a local hospital 30 minutes later, Andria Ziegler, 19, was pronounced dead. No cause has been determined, and toxicology results are pending, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office said.

Ms. Ziegler’s parents reported her missing on Monday afternoon, and Phoenix police officials became involved when they learned that the woman’s body was lying unidentified at the medical examiner’s office.

Mr. Todd called in sick on Monday and Tuesday, a college official said. He was placed on leave after Ms. Ziegler’s parents alerted the college of her death.

A private investigator who is looking into the case said that Ms. Ziegler’s best friend told him that Mr. Todd had previously sought to date Ms. Ziegler but that she had initially declined, according to the newspaper’s report.

The case is not being investigated as a homicide, police officials said. —Don Troop

Comments

1. First things first, my deepest condolences go out to the Ziegler family.

   Our college has been wrangling with a code of ethics statement for awhile. I support a very strong unequivocal enforceable policy in the canons addressing fraternizing with students. We professors are responsible adults who must avoid even the appearance of impropriety. One-on-one meetings in private venues invite impropriety. We are often perceived as authority figures as powerful as the police. Overreaching can be a natural consequence of this perception. For their part, students often want to affiliate and yes, even seduce, that authority.

   It is challenging to overcome Darwinian urges, to avoid temptation, especially when the booty is not booty, but is adulation and idol-worship.

   Professors must carve out professionally acceptable boundaries for out-of-class socializing with students that will not compromise anyone’s integrity or reputation.

   — BC PROF    Apr 26, 05:49 PM    #

2. Here we go.

   I have often had students (current and former) at my home, in groups and occasionally one-on-one. I plan to do so again, this tragic case notwithstanding. I have never developed a personal relationship with a current student, and I do not provide alcohol to minors. My authority is not subject exclusively to the physical space I occupy. I don’t know the whole story here, and neither do you; I for one am reserving judgment until we find out more.

   — Moi    Apr 27, 09:52 AM    #

3. First of all, for ‘g’, the student was not a minor, but a 19 yr old adult. This does not, however, make fraternization acceptable, especially if she were currently enrolled (or had a likelihood of being enrolled in the future) in Mr. Todd’s class. There is a clear conflict of interest in that situation. This should be distinguished from outside-class interaction, which can be a vibrant and meaningful aspect of learning — especially in small, liberal arts environments (which this wasn’t) where faculty are actually expected to be available in non-classroom settings.
   A clear institutional policy – overly draconian or otherwise – is an integral first step towards laying boundaries for this type of confusing situation.

   Sincere condolences to the Ziegler family.

   — UC Prof    Apr 27, 11:53 AM    #

4. As college administrators, we should remember to demonstrate our ability to think critically. We do have any details beyond what the article says and we have all been exposed to situations where the news reporting (often the student newspaper) provides an early summary before all the facts have been given. Words like “due process” should guide our comments not words like “it was reported”.

   — Demetrius Johnson    Apr 27, 12:50 PM    #

5. College policy building that is framed in “risk management” may result in our not having to spend half the amount of time and money litigating and assuring due process to those who find themselves on the business end of discipline or termination. These kinds of situations are foreseeable and should be confronted directly in collaboratively fashioned language.

   I suspect the reactions thus far have focused more on the death and the venue than on the administrative action taken by the college.

   Not being a parent, I can only imagine what my parents might have said if I told them I was at Professor X’s home alone. However, I am a professor (over 35 years experience), and I would have a hard time answering the parents’ question if I were entertaining their son or daughter alone in my home. As my mother would have said, “there’s no need!”

   — BC PROF    Apr 27, 10:19 PM    #

6. I’m curious as to how her body was lying “unidentified” at the coroner’s office. Was he at the home when authorities arrived? If not, who called for help? If he was home, why did he not identify her or make attempts to notify her family? It sounds odd and perhaps suspicious (or is there simply incomplete reporting). Can anyone shed some light?

   — EAC    Apr 28, 10:10 AM    #

7. I agree with EAC as this looks suspicious. Why did it take the police to find the body at the medical examiner’s office? Didn’t Mr. Todd think to notify the school or did he know he had crossed the line of acceptable faculty behavior?

   — C    Apr 28, 10:58 AM    #

8. I disagree. There is absolutely NO data in the story to suggest anything improper or problematic. I don’t see why people are jumping to conclusions or assumptions. There are plenty of legitimate reasons for a student to visit the home of a faculty member.

   — Al    Apr 28, 01:19 PM    #

9. It is asinine for a male professor to be alone, at home, with a female student. However “legitimate” the reason may be, these days only a fool would invite this scenario. What is better dealt with at the professor’s home than in the office, except impropriety?

   — The Hamster of Love    Apr 28, 01:35 PM    #

10. Having taught both at universities and community colleges, I become much more involved in the lives of my community college students than I ever did at a university, attending weddings, christenings, graduation parties, being asked for advice on child care, and helping students in case of emergencies in their lives. I have, in the past, temporarily housed a student and her children after a house fire left them homeless, acted as a labor coach for a single mother, had students to my home for dinner, taken a student with me to cultural events, and had an occasional student show up on my doorstep unannounced. We don’t know what was going on with this instructor and his student and the holes in the reporting mentioned, for example, why her body was not identified, makes it clear we don’t have much of the story. We should not be jumping to conclusions here.

    — Margray    Apr 28, 02:03 PM    #

11. One of the problems I have with youth today is that we never let them grow up. We overprotect them, don’t let them out of the yard so to speak, but eventually expect them to function as adults. Where I live, children can give sexual consent to anyone not in a position of trust at 15. They are fully adult at 18. Yes, profs have an advantage over the young. But when will we trust women enough that it’s their decision? We claim they can run ships, businesses, colleges, and countries but we don’t trust them to say no on their own? Do they really need institutional protection? Would she have the same protections in her occupation? At some point, people need to be adults with power and responsibility for their own lives.

    That said, I’d also have to say I do find it suspicious that she was unidentified 9what, no purse?) and that he is mysteriously absent for 2 days. If it isn’t being investigated as a homicide, it should be.

    — LM    Apr 28, 02:30 PM    #

12. There are too many unanswered questions floating around. The story has too many holes for anyone to truly make an informed decision on the matter. As society, we are quick to judge without all the facts and this is the perfect example. Let’s rize above our assumptions and let the authorities do their jobs, before any more conclusions are drawn.

    To the family —in the coming weeks as you begin the grieving process my thoughts and prayers are with you!

    — LS    Apr 28, 03:17 PM    #

13. Yes, LS, I totally agree.

    — Embarrassed for Higher Education    Apr 28, 07:54 PM    #

14. Well, you’ve certainly shown us, GM. Your sound arguments have reduced us to rubble, you voice of moral reason, you.

    Point me to the “law” that prevents legal adults from socializing with whomever they want, again? My memory is a trifle hazy.

    — Moi    Apr 28, 11:03 PM    #

15. I am a student at PVCC. He was my favorite teacher. I had him last semester and I do not know what to think. I don’t want to judge the situation until i know all the facts, but it is hard not to. If this death was his fault then I feel betrayed. I talked to him all the time in between classes and after school. He helped me with other projects outside his class. I never would have suspected anything like this. I am disappointed and feel almost foolish. I just really need to know the truth. My prayers go out both to him and the Ziegler family. I am so sorry.

    — a former student    Apr 29, 12:22 AM    #

16. I just want to say that while it is morally considered socially inappropriate for a Student and Teacher to engage in romantic/intimate relations, It is not considered illegal in any way since both are adults and capable of making their own decisions however unproffesional they may be. Also, I’d like to point out that The parents, who with good reason, are understandably experiencing emotional distress and, in a desperate need for answers, may possibley, intentionally or not, jump to conclusions and fabricate situations that may or may not be true. Being a fellow student of Dr. Todd’s, I can say that I have never observed his actions toward any student to be inappropriate. And while I may not be in a position to judge his character; I have always found him to be an excellent teacher and a man of humor and integrity, dedicated to his work, both in his teaching at the college as head of the Psychology department, and in his work with the police, (psychological profiling of criminals and psychological analysis of crime scenes).
    As horrible a tragedy as this is, I would like to ask that the urge to jump to conclusions be put at bay. It is easy to make assumptions, often of which are unfair and stereotypical. But keep in mind we do not have all the facts, only 1 side of this story has been presented. “Innocent until proven guilty.” I could see a possibility of Miss Ziegler comming to him for help because of an overdose, accidental or regretted, fearing reprimand from parents or friends. While her parents have my full sympathy for their loss, I would like to say that no parent wants to think that their child could fall under the influence of drugs or alcohal, yet many children do, much to the shock and surprise of their parents.
    I would like to apologise if I have offended anyone or presented myself in a callous manner; this was not my intention. I believe the loss of any life for any reason is a shame, especially for one so young and so much to look forward to. But it is common for news and articles to take sides, and men especially are often portrayed as the villians in the public eye, with little or no defense.
    My respect for Dr. Michael Todd has not yet diminished. One of the skills I have been taught at the community college is Critical Thinking and open-mindedness to both sides of the story. And until evidence has been produced that shows beyond a reasonable doubt that he is responsible for Andria’s death, I will view him as innocent and await his side of the story.
    On a final note, there is no definate proof that any romantic relations were going on or being pursued. (witness testimony is often inaccurate, even falsly fabricated or influenced by hearsay or rumors,) So it would be unfair to assume that this was the case. However, if this is the case. I would like to submit my humble opinion that consential love of any kind is beautiful and precious, and is not up for debate or rebuke from anyone. Love is love, and it is no one else’s business but their own. And so long as it does not affect their academic relationship, (such as influincing grades or showing favoritism) they are doing nothing wrong.

    — PVCC Student    Apr 29, 12:40 AM    #

17. Al, Have your morning coffee and wake up. How can a body lay for a period of time in a morgue and not be identified? The faculty member would have been able to identify the body in a nano-second. After all, the student died in his home. When I first saw the headline for this tragedy, I somehow knew that when I read it, I would learn of a female student being in a male professor’s home. Now I’m wondering if I am prescient. Since I’m on a roll, I’ll further predict that the police will do the necessary toxicology tests – and will find some drug, in excess amounts, such as the “date-rape drug, or other such drugs intended to render one compliant and accommodating.

    — Bill    Apr 29, 11:30 AM    #

18. I very strongly agree with the other PVCC student. As a current student at PVCC and a former student of Michael Todd’s I will not be jumping to any conclusions until the full story has been told.

    — Current PVCC student    Apr 30, 05:48 PM    #

19. PVCC student, you are incredibly naive! You use the words: “love, integrity, etc.” to romanticize what was going on and elevate this man when we know for a fact that THIS MAN LIED to the police and emergency responders. THAT IS WRONG. I won’t accuse him of murder, but he is a LIAR. His lies did nothing for this young woman except to show us that he cared nothing for her, only himself. Given that fact, this guy deserves no sympathy and he does not belong in education.

    — watcher    May 1, 01:16 PM    #

20. wow. so we know that he “sought to date the student” and she didn’t want to date him, then she’s found dead, in his home, and he doesn’t tell the school or her family or even identify her? what the fuck?
    what happened here? clearly there is more to this story, cause most places when the cops show up at your house to find a dead girl, they want to know who she is.
    how is he not arrested?
    how did the police just not pursue this enough to find out her freaking name and notify her family?
    what did he tell them she was doing at his house?
    what the hell passes for law enforcement down there? is the professor a kennedy or something?

    — heather    May 3, 11:29 AM    #

21. I can’t believe that no one has talked about the elephant in the room here—the POWER imbalance between a professor and a current student. That’s why we have these “Draconian” policies for student-faculty interaction. The concept (whether you accept/like it or not) is that because of the power imbalance, the student (person of less power) is in a vulnerable situation and must be protected. Had the story read that the young woman was a “former” student from several years past, this would have a different connotation.

    We need to continue to protect students and faculty from their own follies and misjudgments. If you don’t like policies, then try ethics—your own personal ones. There is no faculty-student interaction that needs to occur much beyond the classroom or open-doored office—and certainly not beyond any public area. If it was real “love” as some want to believe, it should have waited until the end of term—at the insistance of the professor. I believe it for what it looks like—a badly thought-out situation taken to its ultimate, sad end.

    — Professor M    May 6, 10:16 AM    #

22. Dear All, I like my anonymity but here goes. I spent the better part of a decade as a non-degree seeking student there at PVCC mostly because of it’s close proximity to my home. Then, another decade later when I got my act together, I went on to get my Ph.D. elsewhere and returned to PVCC for a short stint as an adjunct. I can honestly tell you that I watched that area of Phoenix (now known as the the triangle) slide down the slippery slope of dope. In the 80’s you had do drive a considerable distance to get a bag of pot. Now the area has completely transformed, complete with illegal alien drop houses, streets filled each morning with day laborors, pan handlers, crack houses, Meth, more meth, gangs, violence and blight.

    As a streetwise kid, I became a streetwise Prof. Student’s didn’t even hesitate to discuss their drug habits/preferences with me because I wasn’t judgmental and open about my own experiences. Most of the folks in those neighborhoods are just plain hard-working but there is always that nasty little secret that most (especially here) don’t want to admit. (there is a doper in the house, maybe mom, maybe dad, maybe Sallie, Johnnie and/or maybe even Sallie’s college prof). That once little college has served us well as haven of safety, self-assurance, and a vehicle for those trying to escape through education. For their part, PVCC has maintained a pretty high standard of conduct. They quickly turn off profs that act touchy-feely.

    I want to say to those of you who think the Phoenix Police Dept. is anything other than a top-notch organization. “ crawl back into your crack pipe and pray they catch you” It might save your life! It is best to wait for the toxicology reports and let this play out. It is not legal semantics to keep an investigation out the public space until enough evidence is gathered to support or refute any theory of a homicide. It just may be that the police know quite a bit more than you and don’t operate on mere speculation. And when they think you should know, you’ll know!

    — Jus Kidden    May 6, 10:24 AM    #

23. Having been a naive student at one time, I became involved with a professor who convinced me there was nothing wrong with our sexual relationship. Unfortunately, the price paid was high, betrayal, divorce, marriage and divorce again.
    He and his type are predators, plain and simple which is probably why they surround themselves with young people instead of working in the real world with experienced adults.
    Todd may not be a murderer, time will tell, but he has shown himself to be predatory.

    My deep condolences to the Ziegler family.

    — NBY    May 6, 02:34 PM    #

24. The comments in these notes reflect exactly why fraternization with students is folly. The situation is imbalanced and open to abuse of the position over the student. It is therefore just plain dumb to engage in one-on-one interaction with a student behind closed doors. There is not enough information in the article above to aasume that the professor was even there when police arrived, or that he ever saw the body. Yet the accusations fly. Police do not suspect homicide. Let’s give the cops some credit. A horrible loss to the family and to the community, but the rules about common sense in relations with students are already in place. The door to public scandal was opened when the unfortunate woman arrived at the professor’s house. Whatever happened afterward is not known to us yet. Someone said something about critical thinking in one of the comments above. Let’s wait for the complete facts before rewritng policy.

    — CC    May 11, 07:19 PM    #

25. presumably Todd knew who this dead girl in his living room was, though i guess that has not been established as “fact”, despite the fact that her friend disclosed that he had sought to “date” her. given that apparent ““fact, why didn’t he offer her name to the police? even dead stray dogs’ owners are sought. i don’t know what he’s guilty or not guilty of, but if he’s anything he’s a weasel in prof’s clothing. once again the callous disregard for the life of another becomes an inconvenient fact in this slimy corner of the academy. Mr. Todd, should NEVER again be allowed to set foot in front of young people again. and away we go hanging on every word of his “dream team” and the tortured Zeigler family gets to see their daughter’s reputation shredded by his lawyers. this is just awful and so tragic. may this young woman rest in peace finally.

    — just a question...    May 11, 08:42 PM    #

26. I too was a student of Dr. Todd’s. I had an awful and disturbing experience while alone in the classroom with him. I reported it to the dean. I think he was reprimanded, but I am not sure that anything every came of it.

    — mouse    May 16, 03:21 AM    #

27. Well it appears that the man was innocent and did report her name to the police. Well in bad taste a teacher seeing one of his students, she was an adult. My sympathies go out to everyone involved.

    — ray    May 22, 02:32 AM    #

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