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Editor’s note: this story has been updated since its original posting.

Embattled history professor Hugo Schwyzer apologized for his lurid behavior with members of the adult industry but insisted he hasn’t violated any college policy.

Schwyzer decided to take some time off from teaching after his extramarital affairs with several people in the adult industry were made public, when a series of explicit images and texts were posted online this week. The explicit images and texts posted were exchanges between Schwyzer and amateur adult performer Christina Parreira.

“No doubt I have embarrassed the college and I am sorry [but] what I did is not illegal,” Schwyzer said.”I did not violate any of the college’s policies. I want to stress that my sexual acting out was with fellow adults that are not in any way affiliated with PCC.”

According to Robert Bell, senior vice president of student and learning services, Schwyzer has not done anything illegal at the college. “To the best of my knowledge, professor Schwyzer has not violated any college policies,” he said.

Schwyzer said the administration has not spoken to him about his behavior and only talked to him about his planned absence.

“I’m looking forward to getting well and I have a lot of work to do I have a cluster of psychiatric illnesses that I need to cure so I can come back and be a productive member of the PCC community again and my doctors tell that is possible,” Schwyzer said.

A work/extended sick leave form provided by Schwyzer says his physician expects he can return to work on Jan, 1, 2014. “My shrink says I need to be out until January,”he said.

Schwyzer also said he has received a formal diagnosis from his doctors and is taking medication to maintain his mental health.

“I just got a formal diagnosis from the doctors: bipolar disorder with psychotic features plus borderline personality disorder. [I am] taking five different medications to manage it [and] they’re helping,”he said.

However, in a recent email Schwyzer sent to the Courier, he attempted suicide which landed him in the hospital for a week. According to Schwyzer, he is also currently living in a motel in Monterey with a 22 year-old woman he met in the psych ward.

“[I am] very heavily medicated; I’m trying to cope with this disease that seems to be attacking and ravaging my brain,” Schwyzer said.

Despite receiving a multitude of negative comments online from people requesting he give up teaching, Schwyzer said they will have no influence on whether or not he continues teaching. But he added that he will no longer present himself as a role model.

“I did a lot of stupid things under a bipolar break down, that’s not an excuse it’s an explanation,” he said. “They were stupid, hurtful things. How people feel about it doesn’t determine whether or not I come back. I will continue teaching however I will not be offering myself as a male feminist role model,” Schwyzer said.

Schwyzer linked his “Navigating Pornography” class to his misconduct but did not blame the adult industry itself.

“I sexually acted out with a number of people I met through the adult industry,” he said. “I don’t blame the adult industry, I blame my own vulnerability. The adult industry became the locus or the forum of some of my sexual misconduct.”

Despite his sexual misconduct, Schwyzer stands behind the content of the course, its speakers (which consisted of adult film stars) and previous courses he has taught.

“I’m embarrassed by what I did but I stand fully behind the content of my courses and what the speakers had to say,” he said. “I am proud of those classes. My own behavior I am not proud of and that’s very different than repudiating the actual content of the course.”

Samantha Semels, a former student of Schwyzer, felt that his wrongdoings should not overshadow his teaching and activism. “I am aware of his mistakes and his flaws as a person, but I believe sincerely that just because the messenger is flawed; does not mean the message is,” Semels said.

Aiden Aizumi, another former student of Shwyzer, said all that has happened recently does not change the way he sees Schwyzer or how highly he regards him.

“When I took my first class with Hugo I had recently started my transition from female to male and he was the only professor I have had who openly stood up for and supported the community in which I identify with,” Aizumi said. “I finally felt safe and accepted and could then focus more on my education. I couldn’t ever put into words the impact Hugo has had on my life and my academics.”

Paul Ochoa
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