Probe: Former prof pursued HS and college students

BOZEMAN (AP) — Montana State University's investigation of a former music professor found he made inappropriate advances to college students and at least one high school student, and that one high school would no longer allow him contact with its students.

A judge ordered the documents released Thursday after the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and the Montana Newspaper Association sued, arguing the investigation into professor Shuichi Komiyama should be made public.

Komiyama, 48, resigned Sept. 30. He had been placed on paid leave in April 2011 after a student told the head of the music department she had a sexual relationship with Komiyama and felt pressure to stay in his good graces to continue receiving help with her musical career.

Alan Leech, interim director of MSU's School of Music, requested the investigation, writing that rumors of unethical conduct and sexual harassment seemed to have substance.

"Students have been afraid of him for a long time, since he threatens their scholarships and entry into graduate school," Leech wrote. "He has great charisma and uses it well."

"I have had many faculty in my school come to me with questions about what can be done to protect students from him," Leech continued. "And there is cause for concern, since next school year, it was planned that he take over the flute teaching studio, in which he would have individual female students in his office for lessons."

There is no phone listing for Komiyama and he has not had legal representation in Montana since last fall. He did not immediately respond Friday to an email requesting comment.

Pamela Merrell, MSU associate legal counsel and Diane Letendre, interim director of human resources and affirmative action, interviewed dozens of students, faculty, other witnesses and Komiyama and concluded the evidence supported the student's allegations.

The Chronicle in September received information from the attorney of one student showing the investigation found she was pressured by Komiyama into an intimate relationship. It also said Komiyama had parties at his home where he served alcohol to underage college students and had female students stay in his hotel room during a music conference.

The information involving "Student A" —including that Komiyama insisted on oral sex in his office and got her drunk and had sex with her even though she said she told him 'no' — was redacted from the report released Thursday as was information about a presumed "Student B."

The investigation found Komiyama kissed "Student C," stayed with her at her apartment overnight, that they went out to eat and drink often and that he told her he wanted to have sex with her.

"The evidence also supports her belief that if she resisted his advances, she could lose his valuable support," the report said.

"Student D" told investigators that Komiyama told her that her performance was "sexy" and called her "Hon." The investigation found the student believed Komiyama was making advances toward her for an intimate relationship and that her receipt of educational benefits was dependent on her acquiescence to those advances.

The documents released Thursday included the findings of a separate school district over allegations of Komiyama's involvement with a high school student. The name of the school was redacted.

School officials interviewed the student, reviewed text messages and concluded that Komiyama intended to pursue an intimate relationship with the student.

Investigators also found that Komiyama failed to create appropriate boundaries with students, provided instruction to some students at the expense of rehearsal time for others, unreasonably played favorites among students, was harshly critical of some students and created inappropriate ambitions for the orchestra and band given that MSU's music department's focus is on music education and technology, not on musical performance or conducting. It also found he showed disrespect for the music department and ignored its policies, faculty meetings and direction from supervisors.

Investigators added that they did hear praise for Komiyama's abilities as a musician and conductor and for improvements to the orchestra and jazz band, as well as opportunities music students had to perform in venues and with musicians that had not occurred before, including trips to South Asia.

The Chronicle has reported that when Komiyama was 25, he pleaded guilty in California to two felonies of sexual intercourse with a minor following a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. He completed his probation in 1995, but is still required to register as a sex offender.

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