New Paltz, N.Y. ? A professor who repeatedly called a student “Monica Lewinsky” during the height of President Clinton’s sex scandal was offensive but did not commit sexual harassment, a judge ruled.

The judge threw out a lawsuit filed by the student, Inbal Hayut, who claimed professor Alex Young created a “sexually hostile environment” by repeatedly calling her by the name of the former White House intern.

Hayut claimed the professor made comments like “How was your weekend with Bill?” and “Be quiet, Monica, I will give you a cigar later.” She said the humiliation eventually affected her grades, and she left the State University of New York at New Paltz, which also was named in the suit.

U.S. District Judge Howard Munson found that Hayut failed to show the alleged harassment happened with any frequency.

“Even though professor Young’s conduct is highly offensive and obviously inappropriate, it does not rise to the level of actionable sexual harassment,” said Munson, in a decision dated July 30.

“It seems to me his decision is saying, ‘It’s highly offensive, but since it’s only for half the semester, it’s not enough,”‘ said Hayut’s lawyer, William Martin said, who said his client likely will appeal.

Hayut, now 24, is completing her undergraduate studies at Pace University, Martin said.

Young, who is in his 70s, is now retired from teaching. His lawyer, Kenneth Kelly, said Munson’s decision vindicated his client.

Young felt this incident “was being blown up by Ms. Hayut for whatever reason,” Kelly said.