SU chemistry instructor removed for using profanity in class

A Southern University instructor was removed for profaning a student in his class, according to Dean of the College of Sciences Robert H. Miller, Jr.,
Sylvester Burton, a chemistry instructor, was removed after receiving a complaint from a student in Burton’s Organic Chemistry 230 class. The student claimed Burton cursed her on September 10, when she asked him a question.
It is unclear whether the instructor has been terminated, reassigned, or suspended.
In an email to the student involved, Miller said Burton’s actions in his class were “clearly in the region of unacceptable behavior of an instructor” and that he will not be returning to Organic Chemistry 230.
He also sent a letter to the student formally apologizing for Burton’s actions.
Burton sent a letter, dated September 16, 2001, to the student he accosted. He said, “I extend to you a formal apology for the way in which I responded to you …Clearly, my actions were inappropriate. I did not adhere to the professional behavior of the role model that an instructor should display at all times…”
Miller addressed the class on Wednesday, September 12, 2001. He related to the class the conduct he expects of professors and students at SU.
“He cursed whole classes on more than one occasion, but nothing was ever done before until now,” said Talmage P. Bursh, another chemistry professor.
Miller said no student had ever before reported a teacher using profanity in the college of sciences.
“…We expect all instructors to exhibit professional behavior at all times, and most definitely we will not tolerate the use of in-class profanity on the part of either instructor or student,” said Miller.
Burton was a SU graduate who taught at SU for seven years. At one time, he was a student of Miller.
On Friday, September 14, 2001, a new instructor arrived to take over the organic chemistry class.