Tenure denial sparks lawsuit

New Bolton Center Emergency Surgery Clinician David Freeman filed suit against the University in federal court last week, charging it with sex discrimination and breach of contract. Freeman also names Provost Michael Aiken and Veterinary School Dean Edwin Andrews as defendants, claiming they kept him from receiving tenure twice -- in the spring of 1990 and the spring of 1991. Freeman is suing for tenure at the Vet School as well as lost back pay and punitive damages, according to the suit. According to a revised version of the suit filed yesterday, Freeman decided to pursue a Ph.D. at the University in veterinary physiology in 1977 at the suggestion of his superior, Surgery Professor William Donawick. Freeman maintains that it was implied by Donawick and reaffirmed by other University officials that he would have a better chance of recieving tenure after getting his doctorate. "I suggested that he pursue an advanced degree because he had talent and he accepted the opportunity," Donawick said. "I have no tenure jurisdiction." When he did not receive tenure, Freeman claims, the University breached the implied contract it had with him. Because the University approved tenure for Associate Medical Professor Corinne Sweeney, whom he calls "one of the weakest [tenure candidates]," Freeman charges the University discrimiated against him because he is a man. He also claims that Andrews did not promote his tenure application on the second try in 1991 because of his gender. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, an impartial state organization chosen by the plaintiff, recently conducted an investigation of this case as part of a state-mandated policy. The commission found that Freeman's allegations are probably unfounded, Associate General Counsel Neil Hamburg said last night. "We expect to receive the same result from the federal court," Hamburg said. University General Counsel Shelly Green said last night that the University will fight the suit. "The University will defend this vigorously," Green said. "[The complaint] is without merit." Freeman and Andrews could not be reached for comment last night.

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