1. 6/28/2016 Phillips Exeter principal: Sex abuse cases 'sad and painful' ­ Gate House
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By Erik Hawkins
April 22. 2016 3:55PM
Phillips Exeter principal: Sex abuse cases 'sad and painful'
Principal Lisa MacFarlane of Phillips
Exeter Academy spoke to the media
Friday, about recent allegations of past
sexual misconduct or abuse by academy
faculty. Photo by Rich
Beauchesne/Seacoastonline
EXETER — Phillips Exeter Academy Principal Lisa MacFarlane spoke out Friday on continuing investigations into
sexual misconduct by former faculty at the prestigious private school, calling the entire affair “sad and painful” and
dismissing the idea of a culture problem on­campus.
Friday marked the first time MacFarlane has spoken to the media about multiple allegations against former and current
faculty, which began to go public late last month. She sent an email in March to parents and alumni disclosing two
incidents of sexual misconduct committed by former history instructor Richard Schubart in the 1970s and 1980s.
MacFarlane said Friday part of the reasoning behind the timing of the Schubart letter was to “disclose that to
prospective parents” before revisit days for accepted students, which were held earlier this month.
“We wanted to begin a conversation with parents,” she said.
A recent Facebook post by academy minister the Rev. Robert H. Thompson expressed his "love" for Schubart while also
expressing sympathy for victims of abuse, provoking a vigorous online discussion.
Asked about such comments being made by current academy employees supportive of Schubart, MacFarlane said she
was still not concerned about a possible campus culture that might have allowed the incidents to occur — and remain under the radar for so long.
“I don’t have any concern about that,” she said. “I don’t think that is the mindset of current employees."
"One of the things that is so deeply saddening about this situation is that Mr. Schubart is known to many people and raised a family here," she added. "I think
it's very difficult for people to come to terms with that history and in their grief and in their shock, people struggle.”
Although she declined repeatedly to comment on the scope or number of current investigations, MacFarlane said previously the school will be “looking closely
at campus culture,” once the investigations and an independent report on how past faculty handled allegations of sexual abuse wrap up.
“Well, first, we are incredibly saddened and remorseful for what has happened,” MacFarlane said. “We are absolutely committed to understanding the past and
committed to learning from it."
Last week, MacFarlane announced in a letter that photography instructor Steven Lewis had been fired after he confessed to Exeter police that he had engaged in
a sexual relationship with a student more than 30 years ago.
Lewis, according to a report by Exeter police detective Michael Munck, confessed in an interview to having a sexual relationship with a senior student that
lasted for several weeks and involved kissing and fondling.
According to Munck’s report, Lewis confessed he was flattered by the student’s attention, and denied any additional relationships with students.
The case was closed, as the incident occurred more than 30 years ago, and the statute of limitations had expired.
The Exeter Police Department is continuing to investigate several other claims of sexual misconduct, but, according to Chief Bill Shupe, none involve current
faculty members
The academy has retained two law firms. Boston­based firm Holland & Knight will independently investigate any claims of sexual abuse made after March 30 in
cooperation with the Exeter Police Department.
MacFarlane declined to comment on timeline for a completion of the investigations.
“It would be improper for me to comment in any way on ongoing investigations," she said. "None of us want to do anything that would compromise their
integrity."
MacFarlane said the Exeter Police Department will investigate and then make a determination of what they intend to do going forward.
"And at that point they say to us either they’re going to hold onto this and do something or ... take it as you choose," she said. "So we just follow their lead,
because we just want to be sure we're cooperating with them."
Academy officials received criticism for their handling of the Schubart case, which they became aware of in 2011, but did not make public until last month, after
media inquiries.
A letter from a Boston Law firm dated Jan. 26, 2015, indicated that Schubart's 1982 victim intended to seek damages from the academy, alleging "severe, long­
lasting problems" and post­traumatic stress disorder stemming from her relationship with Schubart, who was her dorm parent and faculty adviser.
PEA Director of Communications Robin Giampa on Friday declined to comment on whether a settlement had been reached with the victim.

2. 6/28/2016 Phillips Exeter principal: Sex abuse cases 'sad and painful' ­ Gate House
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Former Principal Tom Hassan, husband of Gov. Maggie Hassan, whom MacFarlane replaced last year, has been the target of scrutiny for not disclosing
Schubart’s sexual misconduct to parents once the incidents became known. The Association of Boarding Schools, also censured Hassan earlier this month for
his handling of the Schubart situation.
In a May 2013 letter, Hassan disclosed to alumni that former instructor Thomas Wood, who was deceased at the time, had been accused of sexual misconduct
while employed by the academy in 1966 and 1967.
“This communication should reinforce Exeter’s strong stance on the matter of our moral obligation to protect our students from any form of harm, including
sexual abuse or harassment,” Hassan said in the letter.
Law firm Choate, Hall & Stewart will review how administrators handled the situations and the academy’s procedures. A report will be forthcoming,
MacFarlane said, but she did not offer a timeline.
“They've only just begun. I couldn't presume to anticipate …” she said.
MacFarlane said Tom Hassan, who left his post in 2015, will remain “technically” an employee of the academy until June 30. MacFarlane came to PEA from the
University of New Hampshire, where she was provost and vice president for academic affairs.
In addition to the Choate, Hall & Stewart investigation, MacFarlane said an academy partnership with UNH’s Prevention Innovations Research Center she
“brought” to the school after taking over for Hassan will allow for faculty to become more proactive.
“They develop very granular surveys," she said, "that look at behaviors, attitudes, practices and speech so that we really get a full understanding of what our
students are thinking and doing. “(We hope to) ensure a healthier climate and address whatever students might be bringing up.”
MacFarlane also recently facilitated a performance on campus of “SLUT: The Play,” a production intended to provoke discussion about sexual abuse and “slut­
shaming” culture. The play was mandatory for all students and, according to MacFarlane, well­received.
“It provoked a lot of thoughtful, interesting, wonderful conversation on campus,” she said.
MacFarlane said while some students had “strong reactions” to the play, the response was “by and large” positive.
According to MacFarlane, negative publicity surrounding the ongoing sexual abuse investigations has not affected enrollment. She said communication was
strong between faculty and the parents of incoming students.
“Since I arrived and before that as well, we're very actively in touch with parents ... very engaged in communicating with them all along,” she said. “Current
parents are very supportive, have been very positive. Prospective parents, equally so.”
MacFarlane said, however, the investigations and the campus coming to terms with the past sexual misconduct were emotionally taxing for her.
“It's been incredibly sad and painful to see the grief of so many people around me," she said. "This is a wonderful school with fabulous students and … deeply
committed people everywhere. To see their pain and struggle amplifies mine."
Asked about the academy’s path going forward, MacFarlane said, “We will continue to do the things we've done in the past, updating our programming and ...
looking closely at campus culture.”
“Campus life continues,” she said.
The Exeter Police Department is asking anyone who has any information about misconduct or abuse, or who may be a victim, or who has any concerns or
questions, to call detective Sgt. Michael Munck at (603) 773­6144 or email mmunck@exeternh.gov.
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