Mather House Tutor Resigns After Vandalism

After his Mather House room had been targeted repeatedly in acts of homophobic vandalism this fall, K. Kyriell Muhammad announced yesterday he would resign as resident tutor.

"The disruption in my personal life has been profound, and I no longer feel capable of continuing in my capacity as a Resident Tutor," Muhammad wrote in an e-mail message to the residents of Mather House.

Muhammad, the resident tutor in religion and Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Supporters' Alliance (BGLTSA) adviser, will remain a resident tutor until the end of this semester.

He made the decision one week after he found homophobic graffiti scrawled across a BGLTSA poster on his door.

The graffiti was the latest in a string of homophobic acts aimed at Muhammad since the beginning of the semester.

After the third incident, when vandals tore down Muhammad's BGLTSA poster and threw themselves against his door, Mather House residents sponsored a non-discrimination pledge.

That was in October; the fourth act of vandalism came last week.

"This is not a decision that I have made lightly," Muhammad wrote in his message to House residents. "Indeed, it has been one of the most difficult I have ever made."

Anna M. Baldwin '00, a resident of Mather House and a member of the BGLTSA executive board, suggested that his resignation was, sadly, a partial victory for the vandals.

"Students are saddened by this," said. "He was well liked and an important part of the community. It's upsetting that such cowardly acts should force him out."

Mather House Co-Masters Leigh G. Haffrey '73 and Sandra A. Naddaff '75 said his decision was troubling although understandable.

"It is not the decision we as Masters would have chosen for him to make, and we are deeply saddened by it," Naddaff and Haffrey wrote. "All of us can understand, though, the stress Kyriell has felt in the wake of the various homophobic incidents targeting him this fall."

Muhammad became a Mather House tutor in the spring of 1998 after serving for three years as a yard proctor. Members of Muhammad's proctor group were not informed of his plans to resign before receiving the house-wide e-mail message, and were shocked by his resignation.

"Obviously, it's very unfortunate," Vera Keller '02 said. "In a way, it's a victory for those who committed the acts."

"We can't expect him to ruin his life, though," added Hana L. Takusagawa '02. "It's amazing that he has been able to deal with all of this for so long."

Other members of the proctor group echoed the same sentiments, saying they had spent the day discussing their frustration.

"We're mad that it has come this far," said one proctor group member, who asked not to be named.

Harvard College administrators expressed similar regret over the circumstances surrounding the tutor's resignation.

"I regret Mr. Muhammad's resignation," Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 wrote in an e-mail message. "He has been a good tutor and we will miss him. I certainly understand that he leaves with regret, and has to balance his own personal comfort and academic mission with his service to the Harvard community."

Despite campus-wide initiatives this fall that responded to the homophobic acts, including an Undergraduate Council anti-homophobia bill, students said that bigger steps must be taken to stop the homophobic acts.

"It's horrifying and shameful," said Michael K. T. Tan '00, co-chair of the BGLTSA. "People shouldn't have to leave their homes and jobs because of homophobic acts."

Tan said that University officials and students across campus, not just the BGLT community, have to react to the incidents of homophobia in a more substantive way.

"We should have a freshman orientation program that addresses acts of homophobia," Tan said. "People need to be told directly that homophobia is not acceptable in any form."

Still, Lewis maintained that the acts directed at Muhammad were not typical for Harvard.

"This community is a very tolerant and inclusive one, and the acts directed against Mr. Muhammad are notable for being exceptional," Lewis wrote. " I do not believe these acts represent a systemic problem at Harvard."

Muhammad, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, ended his message to Mather House residents on a positive note.

"My affection for this House is boundless, and the support I have received from the vast majority of our community has been a source of great comfort to me during this difficult time," Muhammad said.

In light of the recent acts, his final words were particularly apt.

"I wish you all well, individually and communally, and urge you to hold fast to your principles, however lofty and unattainable they may seem," he wrote.