Teacher Cleared in Sex Harassment Case

College of the Canyons officials have concluded that a speech instructor who permitted a sexually explicit talk in his classroom did not commit sexual harassment.

Sophomore Kelly Friscia, 19, accused Fred Martin of creating a hostile learning environment by allowing a male student to give a speech in class Feb. 8 on how to perform oral sex.

Martin denied any wrongdoing, saying interrupting the speech would have infringed on the speaker’s rights, and anyone who felt offended was free to leave the room.

The incident was investigated by a college panel that included two faculty members and the dean of personnel services. The panel concluded that the circumstances did not meet the legal criteria for sexual harassment, said college spokeswoman Sue Bozman.