No Filter: What’s the deal, Varlo?

ST. GEORGE – Dixie State University professor Varlo Davenport was recently fired by the school after a student participating in a classroom acting exercise accused him of assault.  The termination has raised more than a few objections from the community, and so, “No Filter Show” co-hosts Paul Ford and Grady Sinclair had a sit-down with the professor and asked:

“What’s the deal, Varlo?”  Hit play:  play-arrow above

Background

Davenport and students who were present in the class have said no assault took place – it was just a standard theater exercise to help the student better relate to an acting scene and express emotion.

A DSU faculty review board held a hearing after Davenport’s dismissal and heard various testimonies in regard to the matter. The board ultimately exonerated Davenport and recommended he be reinstated as a professor. However, DSU President Richard “Biff” Williams chose to override the board’s recommendation and made Davenport’s termination permanent.

READ MORE: Controversy, unrest persist over Dixie State firing professor; prosecutor reviews complaint

Resources

  • Support the Davenport Family gofundme Web page
    • Ed. note: St. George News has not verified information provided in connection with fundraising accounts mentioned in this article. Those considering contributions are advised to consult with their own professionals for tax advice and investment risks.

Instagram: NoFilter_STGnews

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

8 Comments

  • NotSoFast April 1, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Thanks for the follow up interview. Where do I sign up for juror duty?

  • RMHutchins April 2, 2015 at 9:27 am

    I don’t think we are getting the entire story! My understanding is that this professor, essentially, put the female student in a Bear Hug — physically restraining her, and she was supposed to fight her way out (supposedly, trying to get her to be “emotional”). This professor had no right to physically touch a female student — let alone physically restrain her; he is a big man, and wrapping himself around a female is just not right! Many women have been molested by men, and some of them do not want a man even touching their arm — let alone wrapping themselves around their bodies. This professor, though, apparently, well meaning, had no right to invade the student’s personal space. The professor’s actions showed a total lack of respect for a female. You will notice that, in this video, the professor demonstrates some “examples” of physical touching; but he specifically avoids demonstrating what he actually did! The professor knows what he did was wrong — that’s why he didn’t demonstrate exactly what he did to the female student! What he, actually, did is considered an assault and battery — that is why there is a criminal investigation!

    • Anon April 2, 2015 at 11:26 am

      I’m sorry, but I completely disagree. If this were a normal class or a lower level acting class, then I might agree with you. But that is not the case here. If the girl wants to be an actress (or in an acting class, for that matter), she (and all actors) needs to get used to people (professor or otherwise) invading her “personal space.” Does she think that she will get a stunt double for sex scenes or hostage scenes?

      As for the criminal investigation you speak of, lots of things get criminally investigated and don’t get charged. And, if this gets to charges, it will be because it was fueled by the parents’ constant nagging.

      Really, what this boils down to is this girl not realizing that acting takes more than what she thought and that she probably doesn’t have the chops for it. It’s like a potential firefighter who wants all the glory and danger of fighting the fires, but doesn’t want to do the uncomfortable physical training.

    • Simone April 2, 2015 at 11:56 am

      How do you know what he did to the student? You were not there. Quit perpetuating rumors against someone you probably don’t even know. I took his class a few years ago and he never did anything like what you say he did. yes he physically touched students but it was no worse then what he showed in the video and that is common practice in his field, believe me. In my opinion, this is just a case where a girl got a little embarrassed in front of her friends in acting class and blew it out of proportion. Nothing will come of this “investigation” and he did not deserve to lose his job because one girl in15 years got a little embarrassed. When this nonsense is over, I hope the college gives him his job back.

  • sagemoon April 2, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Like I said before: If an aspiring actor doesn’t like to be touched, they shouldn’t be going into acting.

  • fun bag April 2, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    Oh. MY. Heck! I felt violated just watching davenport putting his hands all over those two boys in the clip. This guy is a pervert and a manipulator, I can tell. Lock him up!

  • arrowone April 2, 2015 at 3:30 pm

    Sounds as if old “Biff” needs to be looked at. Him overruling the board doesn’t cut the mustard. Something else must be in the bushes.

  • fun bag April 2, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Your comment is awaiting moderation. ”

    tryin to keep it real. im usually never wrong

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.