Oklahoma University has found itself in the midst of controversy after a former dean filed a lawsuit alleging the school of discrimination and retaliation.
Professor Suzette Grillot, who previously served as the College of International Studies dean, alleged president James Gallogly and provost Kyle Harper of rescinding her position as dean due to her critical views about the university’s leadership policies and her fight against gender driven disparities in pay, the OU Daily reported.
The suit, filed in an Oklahoma City federal court, claims that Grillot endured a hostile environment and discrimination at work between December 2017 and March 2019 for her campus activism. Earlier this year, she publicly sought the resignation of the president over cutting the funds of the College of International Studies.
“The College of International Studies was going to be cut,” Grillot said during a press conference on Friday. “I said no. I was fired. I got mad. I used an expletive at a rally. That’s what pretty much everyone knows and sees, but that’s not the whole story.”
According to The Oklahoman, Grillot is currently a tenured professor, but does not hold any leadership role. She claims this is a result of her opposition to various university policies that she believed were discriminatory in nature.
“I hope that this lawsuit will shed light on this issue and lead to relief and justice not only for me but to all women at OU who have been subjected to this unfair and illegal treatment,” Grillot said.
Meanwhile, the university has denied the allegations and classified its treatment of all of its employees as fair and equitable.
“The University of Oklahoma has not been served with a copy of the complaint and has not had an opportunity to evaluate the allegations,” a statement reads.
“Once we receive the complaint, OU will file court documents to respond that we are confident illustrate the university acted appropriately and fulfilled its responsibility to treat all its employees fairly and equitably.”
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