And what punishment did the university mete out after determining that Marcy had violated Berkeley’s sexual harassment policies? They gave him a “strict set of behavioral standards” to adhere to from now on, and told him if he didn’t behave, and the school received any more complaints, only then would he be sanctioned, and possibly fired.

This was widely perceived as an ineffectual slap on the wrist, given the seriousness of the violations, and the fact that his behavior had been going on for years. As Joan Schmelz, who until recently led the American Astronomical Society’s Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy, told Buzzfeed, “I’ve seen sexual harassers get slaps on the wrist before. This isn’t even a slap on the wrist.” It’s more of a mild finger-wagging. Tsk-tsk.

I'll remember this the next time my alma mater asks for a donation. For shame…