Allegations of racial prejudice and professional misconduct are being aimed at Sean Wise, a professor of business at Ryerson University and consultant for CBC-TV’s reality show Dragons’ Den.
Fifth-year student Evan Kosiner recently filed a complaint letter with the Ryerson University head office, claiming that Wise habitually makes improper remarks to students and behaves unprofessionally during classes.
Among other things, Wise is alleged to have singled out students with complicated last names and told a student who was new to the country to speak without her accent.
He also said the professor will routinely disengage by pulling out his BlackBerry while students are presenting their assignments to the class.
“I brought my concerns directly to the professor and gave him the opportunity to remedy the situation,” Kosiner said. “But he responded in a very arrogant manner and just kind of waved me off.”
“So I lodged a complaint and dropped his course because I just couldn’t tolerate him anymore.”
Though Kosiner said he claims to have received letters of support, he believes those who back his accusations may be unwilling to come forward publicly for fear that their marks may suffer.
Other students have denounced Kosiner’s claims, and regard him as holding a personal vendetta against the professor.
Though the Charlatan was unable to reach Wise for comment, he told Ryerson’s student paper, The Eyeopener, that he was saddened by the accusations.
“I care for my students, and when one
thinks I’m being inappropriate, I take it very seriously,” he told the paper.
So far, Kosiner said there has been no punishment laid against the professor, though Wise has met with representatives of the Ryerson Discrimination and Harassment Centre regarding the racial issues.
He also said Wise apologized in front of the class after the complaint was filed to any students who may have felt slighted by his remarks.
Kosiner said he is unhappy with the university’s response.
He said he feels that Wise’s high academic standing and numerous degrees may be saving him from harsher reprimand.
“[Wise] may have a ton of experience and I can see his potential for being a great professor,” Kosiner explained, “but he seems to be more focused on the extra-curricular activities he’s involved in and not on the classroom itself.”
“That, on top of his arrogant nature and unprofessional attitude, led me to take the course I took,” he said.