Opinion ID: 2999523
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Material Facts

Text: Resolving all genuine disputes and drawing all reasonable inferences in the Plaintiff’s favor, 10 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 11 of 44 the facts assumed to be true for the purposes of ruling on the Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment are as follows: (1) IPFW’s Structure Indiana University Purdue University at Fort Wayne (IPFW) is jointly owned by Indiana University (IU) and Purdue University, and managed by Purdue pursuant to an agreement between the universities. According to this agreement, Purdue is the responsible corporation with full power, authority, and responsibility to manage and operate IPFW for the benefit of Purdue and IU. Purdue is responsible for the business operations of IPFW, including fiscal management and control. IPFW’s chancellor is appointed and employed by Purdue, with the approval of IU, and reports to the Purdue president. Purdue appoints and employs all other administrative officers, faculty, and staff members. Purdue establishes, charges, and collects all tuition and fees related to IPFW. The Board Trustees of Purdue University is a corporate body created by the Indiana legislature. IPFW’s School of Education consists of two departments: Department of Professional Studies, guided by Dr. William Utesch, and the Department of Educational Studies, guided by Dr. Kathleen Murphy. The School of Education is headed by Dean Roberta Wiener, who reports to Dr. Susan Hannah, the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs of IPFW. Dr. Hannah, in turn, is accountable to Michael Wartell, the Chancellor of IPFW. (2) Plaintiff’s Hire The Plaintiff is a black man and a native of Ghana. He lived there until the age of nineteen. In 2000, the Plaintiff was attending a meeting of the Indiana Counselor Educators and Supervisors, 11 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 12 of 44 where he met Dr. James Burg of IPFW’s School of Education. During a conversation, Dr. Burg advised the Plaintiff that the School of Education was looking to hire a counseling coordinator. The Plaintiff applied for the position, but while he was away in Africa, Dr. Utesch left a telephone message for him, indicating that he was not being considered for the position. After returning from Africa, the Plaintiff went to IPFW to speak with Dr. Utesch. However, Dr. Utesch was not available, and the Plaintiff spoke with Dr. Burg, who told him that the search committee was considering a list of other applicants. The search committee, however, failed to find an appropriate person for the position. As a result, Dr. Utesch suggested to the committee that it reconsider the Plaintiff because he had heard good things about him and found him to be articulate and passionate about school counseling. The committee agreed with Dr. Utesch, who then called the Plaintiff to advise him that he was once again being considered for the position. The Plaintiff had a series of interviews, which resulted in his appointment as a tenure track Assistant Professor of Education for the 2000–2001 academic year. The Plaintiff’s hire was initially requested by Dean Wiener, and after a positive recommendation from Dr. Hannah, the request was approved by Chancellor Wartell. Dr. Utesch strongly supported the hiring decision. During the time the Plaintiff was employed at IPFW, the School of Education had about twenty faculty members. One other person, beside the Plaintiff—Dr. Gloria Campbell-Watley— was of African descent. (3) Plaintiff’s Performance As a faculty member on tenure track, the Plaintiff was subject to once-a-year evaluation by 12 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 13 of 44 the university. The evaluations focused on three areas: teaching, research, and service. Satisfactory performance in all three areas assured a tenure candidate’s reappointment for the following academic year. The Plaintiff would first be evaluated by his immediate supervisor, Dr. Utesch. After Dr. Utesch’s evaluation, he would be independently reviewed by the Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Wiener. Dean Wiener then would make her own recommendation regarding the reappointment, and both Dr. Utesch’s and Dean Wiener’s recommendations would be forwarded to Dr. Hannah, the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. Dr. Hannah then would make her recommendation regarding the reappointment, and would forward it and Dr. Utesch’s and Dr. Wiener’s recommendations, along with the materials submitted by the Plaintiff, to Chancellor Wartell, who would make the final decision about reappointment. This process would have continued until August 2007, when the Plaintiff would have become eligible for tenure. (a) Plaintiff’s First Evaluation The Plaintiff was first evaluated on January 5, 2001, about six months after he began working at IPFW. Dr. Utesch found that the Plaintiff was a competent instructor and a prolific writer, and was impressed with the Plaintiff’s research. Among other things, Dr. Utesch noted: Solicited and unsolicited comments attested to [the Plaintiff’s] competence and passion as an instructor. I recommend that [the Plaintiff] continue to make adjustments as he orients himself to the program. I am impressed with his dedication to course preparation and his genuine support and encouragement of students. I suggest that [the Plaintiff] provide a variety of evidence to document effectiveness as an instructor. (Pl.’s Ex. 8 at PU-0346.) Dr. Utesch recommended the Plaintiff’s reappointment for the 2001–2002 academic year. 13 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 14 of 44 Dean Wiener also evaluated the Plaintiff’s performance in January 2001 and found him to be a fine and dedicated teacher. She commented favorably on his research and service, and, on January 11, 2001, recommended his reappointment. Six days later, Dr. Hannah recommended reappointment to Chancellor Wartell, who agreed with her decision. (b) Plaintiff’s Second Evaluation and Academic Year 2001–2002 Performance The Plaintiff was next evaluated eight months later, in September 2001. Again, both Dr. Utesch and Dean Wiener found that he was making satisfactory progress in each of the three evaluative areas, and each recommended reappointment. Both Dr. Hannah and Chancellor Wartell approved the recommendations and, in May 2002, the Plaintiff was reappointed for the 2002–2003 academic year. Before the evaluations were completed, several faculty members observed the Plaintiff in the classroom and were impressed with his teaching. For example, after observing the Plaintiff teach, Dr. Hickey wrote him: “please allow me to thank you for the opportunity to observe an inspiring and effective teacher at work!” (Pl.’s Ex. 11.) Another faculty member, Associate Professor of Education David R. Skeleton expressed his satisfaction with the Plaintiff’s teaching in these words: “conduct of the class session displayed excellent preparation on the part of the instructor. [The Plaintiff] is to be commended for instructional techniques utilized in his preparation.” (Pl.’s Ex. 12.) Another teacher, Professor Jerry Garret, who also observed the Plaintiff in the classroom wrote: My professional opinion is that I observed one of the most outstanding lessons I have ever observed in my 22 years in education. Not enough teachers are commended for the outstanding job that they do. For me, you are definitely a professor to be commended for the excellent job teaching that I observed in your class today. (Pl.’s Ex. 15.) 14 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 15 of 44 But despite this admiration from the observers of his classes, the Plaintiff also received complaints about his conduct. Beginning in November 2001, Dr. Utesch began getting student complaints about the Plaintiff’s inappropriate classroom behavior. Dr. Utesch informed the Plaintiff about the students’ complaints and encouraged him to address them with the students directly. Dr. Utesch believed that the situation would improve with time. (c) Plaintiff’s Third Evaluation and Academic Year 2002–2003 Performance The Plaintiff was again evaluated for reappointment at the beginning of March 2002. Dr. Utesch noted that the Plaintiff has responded to student concerns and has sought three outside observers for his classroom teaching. Recognizing that the Plaintiff continued to respond to student feedback and sought to improve his teaching, on March 25, Dr. Utesch recommended the Plaintiff for reappointment. In his recommendation, Dr. Utesch stated that he was “impressed with his dedication to student learning and responsiveness to student and peer feedback.” (Pl.’s Ex. 17.) Dean Wiener also recommended reappointment on March 22, noting that the Plaintiff received “high student evaluations except for one class this past year.” Both Dr. Hannan and Chancellor Wartell agreed with the recommendations, and on April 10, 2002, the Plaintiff was reappointed for the 2003–2004 academic year. However, student complaints against the Plaintiff continued during the 2002–2003 academic year. In March 2003, S.S.,2 a graduate student employee at IPFW, approached Dr. Utesch and reported that the Plaintiff had made inappropriate comments to her during her interview for a clinic manager’s position. She reported that, in the summer of 2001, the Plaintiff had told her that she 2 The parties agreed to use initials to protect the privacy of student complainants. 15 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 16 of 44 should wear tighter pants and that she did not have big enough “boobs” because she was white. Also in March 2003, a second graduate student employee, V.H., reported to Dr. Utesch that during his classes the Plaintiff bashed homosexuals and Catholics. Dr. Utesch believed V.H. because her complaints were consistent with those from other students in other classes taught by the Plaintiff. Dr. Utesch asked S.S. and V.H. to discuss their allegations with Dean Wiener. (d) Plaintiff’s Final Evaluation and Non-reappointment From November 2001 through March 2003, Dr. Utesch received six student complaints about the Plaintiff. Two of them were anonymous. All of them accused the Plaintiff of inappropriate behavior. On the basis of these complaints, and especially on the basis of S.S.’s and V.H.’s complaints, Dr. Utesch decided not to recommend the Plaintiff for reappointment for the 2004–2005 academic year. On March 31, 2003, he wrote concerning the Plaintiff’s conduct: On-going student complaints have become more serious over the past year. I have had several meetings with [the Plaintiff] to attempt to resolve concerns about his teaching effectiveness and his professionalism. There appear to be no changes. Students continue to be subjected to discussion of inappropriate topics irrelevant to the content of the course within the classroom. He has criticized other faculty and students in public settings. His lectures are often unorganized and ineffective. He has consistently failed to fulfill his responsibilities for supervising students in the clinic setting. The School of Education’s protocol for the formal evaluation of faculty by students has been violated because [the Plaintiff] did not leave the room while students were completing evaluations. Female students report inappropriate comments about their appearance. The trust and respect of students has been diminished by misuse of power. I conclude that his teaching performance is unsatisfactory. (Hannah Dep. at Ex. 15) Dr. Utesch also noted that the Plaintiff remained productive in research and service.3 3 Dr. Utesch also received a report from the School of Education’s Peer Review Committee that commended the Plaintiff “for his willingness to blend the Research in Counseling course with the Research in Elementary Education course,” “for his high level of research productivity,” and “for his high level of involvement in 16 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 17 of 44 Nevertheless, he concluded that, “because satisfactory teaching performance is essential for progress toward promotion and tenure and based upon all sources of evidence made available to me regarding [the Plaintiff’s] performance, I cannot recommend his reappointment.” Id. Dean Wiener thought otherwise about the Plaintiff’s prospects for the future. About a month before Dr. Utesch’s negative recommendation, in February 2003, Dean Wiener recommended the Plaintiff for reappointment, although with some hesitation: . . . In the area of teaching there are issues which his chair has discussed with him on various occasions. The problems have been shared with me by both [the Plaintiff] and Dr. Utesch (who is both Chair of Professional Studies and Program Director of Counselor Education) and although I have tried to counsel and make suggestions to both, at this time there seems to be an impasse. ... I understand from both Dr. Utesch and [the Plaintiff] that there have been several complaints from students in the Counseling program with regard to [the Plaintiff’s] teaching style. Dr. Utesch has kept records of his talks with [the Plaintiff], along with the behaviors he suggests need to be changed. [The Plaintiff] has indicated his willingness to change to meet student needs and asks, “What could I (can I) do differently?” Both he and his Chair appear frustrated—but Dr. Utesch has delineated what the issues are and what he anticipates will be corrected in terms of faculty/student interactions during this spring and summer. I think this will be difficult to resolve although both [the Plaintiff] and Dr. Utesch are very eager for a congenial solution. Human Resources and Affirmative Action officers have been notified of this problem. In spite of the above, I recommend [the Plaintiff’s] reappointment. This is due to his record of productive research and publications and his eagerness and verbal commitments to work on changing teaching style to better meet the needs of the program and the students. (Id.) Because the Dean and the Department Chair disagreed about the Plaintiff’s future with the university, Dr. Hannah made the ultimate decision regarding his reappointment. She met with both professional organizations.” (Pf.’s Ex. 18). Peer Review Committee’s reports, such as this one, had no force of recommendation but, if presented, they were considered by the department’s chair and the dean during the overall evaluation of a teacher. (See Utesch Dep. at 81–82.) 17 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 18 of 44 Dean Wiener and Dr. Utesch to discuss their recommendations and reviewed all available documents. Dr. Hannah also made sure that Dr. Utesch consulted with Judy Dilorio, IPFW’s Affirmative Action Officer, and James Ferguson, IPFW’s Human Resources Services Director, to insure that all procedures were followed. On April 3, Dr. Hannah recommended to not reappoint the Plaintiff: I do not support reappointment of [the Plaintiff] because of unsatisfactory performance in teaching. The recommendation for non-reappointment from the chair and the equivocal nature of the dean’s review raise very serious questions about his teaching competence. His two previous reviews identified some concerns but were hopeful of improvement. Student complaints of ineffective teaching and a lack of professionalism, however, have increased over this past year despite verbal and written warnings and efforts at assistance. His research and productivity do not compensate for unsatisfactory teaching. I therefore recommend that his appointment at IPFW terminate at the end of 2003–04. (Id.) Chancellor Wartell concurred with her recommendation and, that same day, the Plaintiff was informed of the university’s decision. On May 15, in response to the Plaintiff’s request, Dr. Hannah wrote a letter further detailing the reasons for his non-reappointment. Among other things, she summarized the Plaintiff’s faults: ... My recommendation is based on an evaluation of ineffective teaching by the Acting Chair, Dr. Bill Utesch and serious questions raised by Dean Roberta Wiener. . . . Students complain that you berate students publicly, complimenting some and criticizing others to the point of humiliation in class. . . . Students also reported that you have revealed personal biases about sexual orientation that limit your ability to deal with these issues in the counseling setting. . . . Unprofessional behavior. Students report that you break confidentiality by sharing personal information about some students with others. Students also find the way you handle sexual information and topics in the classroom offensive. One student reported that you made sexually inappropriate comments about her appearance and about what is necessary to be successful. You have made female students uncomfortable by insisting that they close your office door over their objections. In some classes students report that you told them you could identify handwriting and therefore they felt constrained in making negative comments on course evaluations. One student reported that you have confronted students who have complained in 18 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 19 of 44 manner that was considered retaliatory. These behaviors have produced a “chilling effect” that appears to have made learning difficult to the point of at least one student stating that she plans to leave the program. I am especially concerned about the complaints of students who report that you have not been either present or attentive during the times you were responsible for supervising students in a clinic situation. Inconsistent Reports. At the same time that some students have brought very serious claims of ineffectiveness and unprofessional behavior, others have provided glowing testimonies about your work. They report that you have gone out of your way to help them find jobs and prepare for interviews. They find you very professional both in and out of the classroom. They report that they find your classes challenging and excellent preparation for practice. They criticize students who complain as not being willing to perform up to your standards. A number of those who defend you argue that you present a clash of expectations to IPFW students to which some have reacted negatively. Faculty peers who have reviewed your classes also have differing views of your effectiveness in the classroom. Interpreting these inconsistencies is difficult, but the number of student complaints over such a long period convinces me that this is not the case of one or two disgruntled students who can be dismissed as unfair or of one course that did not go well. It is reassuring to know that some students and peers find your work positive, but in so doing highlights the point that other do not. . . . In successful cases, the faculty member takes the constructive criticism to heart and works hard to change behavior in order to become more effective. To me and to others you seem initially to be willing to respond to the concerns but then become defensive and attempt to argue them away rather than taking responsibility for making improvements. I see no consistent effort to make sure that despite the advice given to you by your peers, your chair, and your dean, your behavior has actually changed in such a way that students would perceive a more professional learning environment. (Hannah Dep., Ex. 15.) (e) IPFW’s Investigation of Formal Complaints Against the Plaintiff On May 12, 2003, S.S. and V.H. each filed a formal complaint against the Plaintiff, claiming that he harassed and discriminated against them in both the classroom and in their work as graduate assistants. Elaine Blakemore was assigned by Chancellor Wartell to investigate the complaints in accordance with IPFW’s procedures. She interviewed the complainants and the Plaintiff, as well as Dr. Utesch and two other faculty members in the Department of Education Studies. She also 19 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 20 of 44 interviewed thirteen current and former students from the Counselor Education program representing four different academic cohorts. Blakemore issued a detailed report with extensive findings on both students’ complaints. In the report she acknowledged that, because of the gravity of allegations, the investigation was difficult for her personally. She noted that, during the investigation, the Plaintiff was cordial and professional, and that he was bewildered by the charges. (Pl.’s Ex. 25 at 1.) She also stated that she found both complainants credible and genuinely anguished about their experiences. (Id.) Blakemore commended S.S. and V.H. for their courage to come forward with their complaints: Finally, I would like to express my utmost respect toward [S.S. and V.H.] for their courage coming forward with their complaints. I spoke to several other students who believed that they had been harmed by [the Plaintiff], but were afraid to speak, lest their future careers be harmed. I spoke to former students who said that they had wanted to report their concerns about his behavior once they left the university, but they never had, and that they felt distressed and guilty that they had not. Hence the university should applaud those who are willing to come forward with a serious complaint at possible risk to themselves, particularly when they are taking the risk partly for the good of others. (Id. at 2–3.) Blakemore interviewed numerous students and asked them general questions about the School of Education and the Plaintiff. Blakemore noted that some of the students were very supportive of the Plaintiff and had no complaints at all; others corroborated the complainants: Some expressed shock and dismay about how disrespectfully they thought that other students treated him in the classroom. On balance, though, the majority of students to whom I spoke provided examples of experiences that were consistent with [V.H.’s]’ and [S.S.’s] complaints. Since I did not speak to every student who had ever taken a class from [the Plaintiff], I cannot possibly know what percentage of students over the few years . . . found his behavior inappropriate. I can say, however, that many of the students and former students to whom I spoke found several aspects of his behavior inappropriate, and that their accounts were startlingly consistent. (Id. at 2.) 20 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 21 of 44 Blakemore concluded her report by finding that the Plaintiff violated the university’s policies as to the one complainant, but not as to the other: Using the standard of the “preponderance of the evidence” required by the Purdue University procedures, I find that [the Plaintiff] has violated the Purdue University antiharassment policy outlined in Executive Memorandum C-33. With respect to the specific complaints, I find that Ms. [V.H.] has experienced a hostile educational environment, and that she is the victim of harassment. In her complaint she indicated that she had been the victim of discrimination, but I do not find that to be the case. Other students were similarly treated, and I do not know on what grounds she could have experienced discrimination. Largely because her complaints were not reported in the appropriate time frame, I cannot find that Ms. [S.S.] has also been specifically harassed under the Purdue policy. However, like other students in the Counselor Education Program, she has certainly been subjected to hostile educational environment. (Id. at 9–10.) In light of her findings, Blakemore recommended that the Plaintiff “be immediately removed from his teaching and practicum supervision responsibilities, and from supervisor contact with students in the School of Education at IPFW.” (Id. at 10.) However, she believed that the university should honor his 2003–2004 academic year contract, and that he should be allowed to continue his research so long as he has was veiled from interaction with students. (Id.) Blakemore presented her report to the University’s Committee on Equity, which concurred with Blakemore’s conclusions. On August 4, 2003, Chancellor Wartell notified the Plaintiff that, for the 2003–2004 academic year, he would be assigned to a position entirely dedicated to research, but that he would not be permitted to use his university office. On August 2, 2003, the Plaintiff filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming that the Defendant discriminated against him on the basis of race and national origin. 21 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 22 of 44 (f) The Plaintiff’s Complaints From 2001 until 2003, Dr. Utesch held only two faculty meetings in which the Plaintiff was present. (Pl.’s Dep. 167–68.) At those meetings, in which Dr. Burg was also present, Dr. Utesch talked negatively about certain minority students. (Id. at 162.) At one meeting, he suggested that a student who wrote very poorly should not be in the School of Education just because she was black. Another time, Dr. Utesch told the Plaintiff that he was an American Indian but that he did not go around “tooting [his] horn to get special treatment.” (Id. at 165.) This particular conversation came about as Dr. Utesch was discussing some minority students who thought they deserved to be in the School of Education but whose performance was inferior. (See id. at 164–65.) In addition, Dr. Utesch once told the Plaintiff that the Plaintiff was a naturalized United States citizen, not an African-American. (Dilorio Dep. 17.) The Plaintiff complained to Dean Wiener regarding these comments from Dr. Utesch. He also sent an email to Dilorio restating those complaints and describing another time when “Utesch asserted that minority students, particularly females, are uncomfortable to deal with because they are quick to invoke the notion of a lawsuit.” (Id. at 15–17.) DiLorio met with Dr. Utesch to discuss the Plaintiff’s complaints but she believed that the matters asserted in the email did not assert actionable allegations. The Plaintiff identified seventeen current and former IPFW employees that he claims were similarly situated and treated more favorably than he: Gloria Campbell-Watley (Pl.’s Dep. 183), Phyllis Agnes (Id. at 186), Jim Burg (Id.), William Utesch (Id. at 187), Mark Myers (Id.), Janice Schraeder (Id. at 188), Sheena Choi (Id.), Jerry Garrett (Id. at 282), John Cochren (Id.), Nancy Cauthron (Id. at 283), Joel Nichols (Id. at 284), Beverly Park (Id. at 284–85), Patricia Sellers (Id. at 286), Terri Swim (Id. at 287), Kathleen Murphey (Id. at 288), Jeffrey Nowak (Id. at 289), and Gail 22 case 1:04-cv-00224-TLS-RBC document 67 filed 11/09/2005 page 23 of 44 Hickey (Id. at 305). The Plaintiff admits that Utesch, Cochren, Cothern, Nichols, Murphey, and Hickey were already tenured when he began working at IPFW. The Plaintiff is not aware if charges from students, similar to his own, were leveled against any of the above listed persons. Around December 2, 1999, and May 22, 1997, some students complained against professors G.H. and S.C. for poor teaching. These professors are still faculty members at IPFW’s School of Education.4 With his response to the Defendant’s motion for summary judgment, the Plaintiff submitted affidavits from ten former students praising him as a dedicated and qualified teacher and a person of integrity.