University investigating instructor Alberto Haces stemming from September student complaint
Biochemistry instructor Alberto Haces is now under investigation by the university and is no longer teaching after telling a student to either come take the exam or drop the class following the death of her husband.
A screenshot of Haces during instruction. Video provided by anonymous student.
December 11, 2021
The university is investigating what happened between biochemistry instructor Alberto Haces and a student who believes he treated her insensitively by telling her to either take an exam, to drop his course, or to take an incomplete in the wake of her husband’s death.
On Sept. 13, two days before she was set to take a biochemistry exam, biology major Briana Gabriel lost her husband to pneumonia.
Gabriel emailed her instructor, Alberto Haces, explaining her situation. Haces responded with the two options Gabriel could choose from if she felt she could not take the test—taking an incomplete in the class or dropping the course altogether.
She ultimately decided to take the test, given her options.
According to Haces’ syllabus, he will automatically drop the lowest of three exams from each student’s grade.
The syllabus also states that:
“If the student presents a legitimate, documented reason for missing the exam… a make-up exam might be considered.”
The UP reached out to Joshua Glanzer, the associate vice president for Media Relations and Public Affairs for the university, who responded in an email:
“We are aware of the concerns that have been raised in a previous article regarding Professor Haces. The concerns have been referred to the appropriate offices for investigation consistent with university regulations and policies. FAU is unable to comment further on this pending personnel matter.”
Many of Haces’ students declined to comment on the situation due to the investigation.
However, a few of his students confirmed privately to the UP that he is no longer teaching the Biochemistry course.
Haces’ termination has not been confirmed by school officials.
The only information the UP could obtain regarding his employment status was from Human Resources. They confirmed that Haces was still employed as of Nov. 10.
When the UP reached out to Haces for comment on Nov. 6, he responded in an email, hinting at what could be his pending exit.
“I have taught for 18 years at FAU… and this is not the way I envisioned my departure. I have dozens of emails of good students who kept in touch with me over the years,” he wrote in an email on Nov. 8.
“Many are now professionals who value my teachings and my fairness. That is my legacy, not a yellow journalism pamphlet article,” Haces said.
A student sent the UP a seven-minute recording of Haces’ lecture from mid-October, soon after the first article regarding Haces was published.
After instructing students in his class to read the UP article, he said, “There is some comments from students from this classroom, basically badmouthing me.”
In the recording, he then moved on to discuss Briana Gabriel, the student whose husband passed away.
After she ultimately decided to come in and take the exam, Haces recalled stating to her, “I don’t know what you are doing here, because normally when I’m mourning and I’m sad, I don’t do this type of thing.” In Haces’ recollection of the incident, he said he would allow her to make up the test.
Finally, he revealed his plan to sue the University Press. “I will have to sue [because] they are giving me no other choice. They’re giving me no choice. So, I’m going to sue. I’m getting lawyers to sue the— okay?” he said.
The UP checked the clerk of courts system in both Palm Beach and Broward County and Haces has not filed any lawsuits against the school.
One student, who did not want to be quoted directly, mentioned a high level of tension between students and described the class as hostile since the instructor left.
Classmates are making accusations about who emailed the dean and students are no longer using the class group chat.
Not all of the students are unanimously upset with Haces.
A few came to his defense in the comment section of the article about him on the UP website.
“His syllabus was clear as day, it is unfortunate that her husband died, but the rules are very clear and he is being fair to everyone,” commented someone under the name Marcelo.
Another comment, posted under the name Dylan, recognizes Haces as a valuable professor.
“Haces is one of the good ones. FAU would be a poorer place without him.”
A student who is believed to be in the same class as Brianna Gabriel asked to remain anonymous but was able to confirm Haces’ departure.
“He is no longer teaching. We now have Dr. Du, the biochem 2 professor [who] teaches biochem 1 as well.”
Deguo Du is a professor with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Editor’s Note: This story is a part of our December/January issue titled “Unfinished Business,” which you can pick up on campus or read online here.
Justine Kantor is a contributing writer for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected].
E • Sep 1, 2023 at 9:53 am
Yes, this man has serious behavior problems. If do not want huge problems, stay far from him.
Anonymous • Mar 15, 2023 at 11:34 am
Loosing someone close to you is a traumatic event, and any other professor who was presented with this situation made public would be in hot water because there is no right thing to do. The student was given many options. Options that are in line with the syllabus and the University’s Policies. If they were not then her grievances should have been addressed with the University and not the professor. The option to list course as incomplete was a great option and withdraw since she has the opportunity to resume another semester when she is ready and able. It is easy for anyone to throw stones at the professor, not understanding how universities work. Dr. Haces has worked at FAU for years and did his due diligence. Especially considering that the courses he teaches are rigorous coursework and is a requirement for many post graduate programs that students will try anything to get a better grade. He is within his rights to be suspicious at first then exercise some empathy later. This is why ALL rigorous courses and University policies require documentation for emergencies/accidents that will hinder a student to work at their full capacity. At first it is insensitive but the only ones to blame are student who have manipulated the system in the past. I know this because unfortunately, I have been in a college for a very long time and have had accidents, deaths, you name it throughout my time as a student. I took Dr. Haces Biochemistry course twice! And even though it was challenging I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Haces. He is passionate about his field, and genuinely wants to prepare student for the next steps in their careers. He is one of the few professors who review exams with students one on one and provide insight on the material. This is a big loss to FAU’s faculty and to future science students. My empathy goes out to the student for her loss, just as many students have loss loved ones near and dear to them in the recent years. I hope she was able to complete the course, and hopefully with a professor as caring as Dr. Haces.
Anonymous • Dec 19, 2021 at 3:10 pm
I can’t compare Gabriel’s situation with what I experienced, but when my dog passed away while I was taking biochem 1 with Haces I was allowed to make up the test during his office hours. I don’t know what went through Dr.Haces’ head to have this type of response with a grieving student but it is way out of line.
Ann • Dec 12, 2021 at 8:18 am
Clearly anyone defending the professor has never lost a parent or a spouse or they would understand what it’s like for months shame on you for judgment when you are comparing apples to orange’s smh
Adam • Dec 12, 2021 at 1:40 am
If he were able to obtain a spouse, it would be interesting to see how he would respond to being treated in this exact manner, days after his hypothetical spouse’s passing. I can’t imagine how he would be behaving if he was given even a small dose of his own treatment of others. I don’t even want to imagine how he behaves outside of the classroom. Moreover, one of the essential characteristics that any educator, regardless of level, should posses, is empathy. I do not see any semblance of basic human decency here, let alone an empathetic instructor. Character fitness is important, and student-professor rapport is crucial to effectiveness. There are many instructors and professors within that college who are outstanding humans, so I will note that this man is not a representation of the institution in its entirety. This man has no business being inside a classroom, and he is thankfully an anomaly. If only he treated all of his students, and the woman mentioned in the article, with as much respect and decency as the two supporters of his abhorrent behavior are claiming to have received from him. Haces should not be given the distinction of “educator,” and he thankfully does not represent the profession. My heart goes out to the woman mentioned in the article and any other students/faculty who received this treatment. With peace and love.