Teacher Investigated Over Student’s Sex Speech

A College of the Canyons speech instructor has been placed on paid leave pending an investigation into allegations that he encouraged students to engage in sexually explicit discussions.

“This is to allow for a thorough and fair investigation of the complaint filed by a student” against Fred Martin, said Phil Hartley, vice president of instruction at the college.

The 19-year-old student, sophomore Kelly Friscia, accused Martin of creating an atmosphere of verbal sexual harassment in an educational setting. Friscia charges that such “a hostile learning environment” is in violation of the Civil Rights Act.

Martin taught a speech class at the Valencia two-year college. On Feb. 8, Friscia alleged that a male student gave a sexually explicit speech on how to perform oral sex on a woman. Afterward, Friscia said, Martin congratulated the student.

In an interview, Martin said the assignment was to give a “how-to” speech.

“The assignment was . . . how to do a simple task,” Martin said. “Such topics as how to make a peanut butter sandwich, to wax a snowboard or how to give CPR to an animal.”

Any students who were offended could simply leave the classroom, Martin said.

He added that he did not interrupt the speech on oral sex because “If I stop him from speaking, I’m infringing on his rights.” Martin said his comments on the speech fell short of congratulations.

“When the student finished I said, ‘Very difficult topic, more suited for a male stag smoker. I cannot grade you poorly on your delivery.’ That was it.”

Martin has been a teacher for 25 years and has taught at College of the Canyons for three years.