Professor charged after urine found on student's bag at college

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 10:20 · Archive

A biology professor at Macalester College in Minnesota has been charged with first-degree property damage after urine was found on a student's backpack.

Paul Fischer, 55, a biology professor at Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota, has been charged with first-degree property damage after investigators linked him to a series of urine-related incidents on campus. A student reported discovering urine on her backpack in early December after leaving it unattended for about six minutes in a common area near Fischer's office. She reported the matter to St Paul police in February.

Investigators determined that Fischer was responsible for at least six such incidents occurring between November and December 2025. Urine was found in bins, individuals' water bottles and inside professors' decorations around the Olin-Rice science center. The damage to the student's backpack cost approximately $2,000.

Fischer admitted to police that he had developed a habit of urinating in a cup over the past two years and disposing of the liquid in bins or sinks around campus. He said he may have accidentally soiled the backpack while throwing away his urine in a bin near his office. Fischer, who had taught at the college for over 25 years, resigned from his position following the investigation. He faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 if convicted.

How it is being reported

• Minnesota professor linked to series of bizarre incidents involving urine at universityInvestigators determined professor responsible for urine found on a backpack, in trash cans and in water bottles A former professor at Macalester College in the Minnesota city of St Paul is facing a felony charge for allegedly spilling his urine on a student’s backpack while he still worked at the school, costing more than $2,000 in damages, according to a state criminal court document. Paul Fischer, 55, is at the center of the bizarre, alleged workplace misconduct case that led to his being cited for first-degree damage to property – and linked to at least a half dozen such incidents…Guardian World · 14 Oct, 10:00
• Professor sacked for being suspect phantom urinatorTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page An American college was caught in a string of pee-soaked incidents last year, with a professor sacked over the strange crime spree. Science professor Paul…Metro · 12 Oct, 16:43

In this story: Paul Fischer · Macalester College · St Paul · Minnesota

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