AFFIDAVIT OF CHRISTIA MERCER
I, CHRISTIA MERCER, being of sound mind and over 18 years of age, MAKE OATH
and say the following facts and mailers, drawn from my own knowledge and belief unless
otherwise stated:

I) I am the Gustave M. Berne Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Columbia

University, where I have worked since 1991. Previously I have worked as II professor
at the University of Oslo, Norway, Centre Alexandre Keyce, Ecole des Haules Etudes
en Sciences Sociales, and the Seminar filr Gcistcsgeschichte und Philosophie der
Renaissar'lCe, University of Munich, Germany. My research interests include early
modern philosophy, the history of PlalOnism and the history of feminism.
2) During my junior professorship at Columbia University in the 1990s, Professor

Thomas Pegge

WIIS

a senior professor in the Philosophy Department.

3)

4) There was one particular incidenl when J understand from conversations with others

in the departmenl that he was abusive towards one staff member in a strikingly
aggressive way. He was verbally attacking her. After he Slopped yelling, the woman
asked him, "Well, is there anything else that] can do for you?" Professor Pogge tokl
her, "You l;an stand up and spin around." He was reprimanded for that inl;idcnt,
which I and others in the department agreed was inappropriate behavior,
5) Around 1994-1995, there was talk among the professors and students in the

Philosophy Department about how Professor Pogge had been accused of sexually
harassing an Asian-American graduate student.
6) I then saw an intcrnal rcport written by

in the department, which criticized Professor Pogge for his behavior. J am
sure that I was not supposed to see this report, as tbe whole affair was kept highly
confidential and junior faculty were not supposed to be privy to what was transpiring.
1 do know, however,that the report was sUDscqucntly scnt to the President of Arts and
Sciences, Steven Marcus.
7) I know from a recent discussion with
that Pogge had assaulted a
student in his office, but that the incident could not be make public.
8) Shortly after this, Professor Pogge left the Philosophy Department and was

transferred to the Political Science Department. The official reason given for his
leaving was that he simply "didn't gct along here." I believe, based on the above, that
the true reason for his departure is connccted 10 these allegations of sexual
Affidavit of Christia Mercer
Page t oFZ

 harassment.

9) It is my personal belief that Professor Pogge is a man who serially harasses young
women. He has gotten away this behavior over the years because he is skilled at
manipulating people and the system to avoid responsibility for his actions. In short. I
think he is dangerous.

I solemnly af?rm under penalty of perjury that the contents of the foregoing are true to
the best of my knowledge.

C??ut??a 

 

Signed
Christia Mercer
Dated July 18, 2014
Address