Ex-worker sues for discrimination

Former Director of the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program Susan Leites is suing the University claiming she was terminated because she complained of sexual harassment and discrimination. A document filed in Federal Court August 2 states that Leites was subjected to "severe" sexual harassment during her time at the University. University General Counsel Shelly Green said Leites has no basis for her claim. "We believe it has no merit," Green said. "It's being handled by outside counsel Neil Hamburg." Court documents state the plaintiff is suing for full back pay and benefits in excess of $500,000. In the complaint, Leites said her rights have been violated. She is litigating "for pain and suffering; for her severe distress; for her loss of enjoyment of life's pleasures; and for her loss of earnings and earning capacity," according to court filings. Leites, an employee of the University from 1979 until 1992, said she received a letter of termination from the University in November 1990 after complaining of sexual harassment and discrimination. Before she was terminated, Leites said she was denied a promotion to the position of associate professor by the University. That position was later filled by Leonard Stokes, an academic, Leites insisted, who was less qualified than she was. Stokes was paid a higher salary than Leites, even though she had been a University employee for ten years, according to Leites' suit. Soon after becoming an associate professor, Stokes was appointed acting chairperson of the Department of Fine Arts, after the previous chairperson was forced to resign. Leites contends she was more qualified than Stokes for the position. Public records show that in September 1991, Leites filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. After University officials learned of the charge, Leites said she was harassed and criticized for filing it. And in October 1991, Leites' office was turned into a studio for Dan Gluck, a student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program. Finally in March 1992, Leites signed an agreement with the University to settle her pending grievance with the EEOC. In 1993, the External Review Committee evaluated possible cases of sex discrimination in the Department of Fine Arts. Former Associate General Counsel for the University Neil Hamburg, who is representing the University in this case, refused to comment for this article.

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