Professors file suit, claims damages

Professors file suit, claims damages

censorship, wrongful termination, ad hoc

This article gives a summary of events right at the beginning of the court case for Kay and fellow professors against the university. It gives details on how the professors were wrongfully treated, who was involved and what they are seeking.

Larry Funk

Quad Angles

Special Collections, Francis Harvey Green Library, West Chester University

1971-01-12

Maria Marabito

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https://digital.klnpa.org/digital/collection/wcnp01/id/14080/rec/35

Professors file suit, claim damages By LARRY FUNK Six professors at West Chester State College filed suit in the Federal District Court, Philadelphia, December 8, against the college administration, the Board of Trustees, and the State Secretary of Education. The professors are claiming damages in excess of $1,200,000. Plaintiffs in the action are Professors Michael Kay, Robert Young, and Frank Fox, Department of History; Professor Thomas Treadwell, Department of Education; and Professors Stephen Parker and Martin Watkins, Department of English. Those who were named as defendants include Paul Rossey, President of the College; Albert Filano, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Byron Fleck, Dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences; John Clokey, Dean of the School of Arts and Letters; Harold Benda, Dean of the School The next issue of QUAD ANGLES will be distributed Feb. 2. Get a copy at these distribution centers — Anderson Hall, Recitation, Lawrence Center, and Old Main Dorm Lobby. of Education; Dr. Walter Ridley, Chairman of the Department of Secondary Education and Professional Studies; Dr. Donn Riley, acting Chairman of the Department of History; and Dr. Joseph Thorson, Chairman of the Department of Business and Economics. Besides the members of the college Board of Trustees, David Kurtzman, the State Secretary of Education, was also named as a defendant.The plaintiffs allege that because of their support of Dr. Kay, the administration has violated the rights of the members of the Ad Hoc Committee of Concerned Faculty. Along with Dr. Kay, who was dismissed from his post May 31, Professors Treadwell, Parker, and Watkins, who were notified that their teaching contracts would not be renewed, are seeking reinstatement to their positions and damages for injury to their "academic and professional reputation and future employment prospects, in an amount in excess of $250,000 each, plus costs and attorney's fees. Seeking damages of $100,000 each are Dr. Fox, who was denied tenure and his annual salary increment, and Dr. Young, who was denied promotion to the rank of full professor. The six professors charged that they were victimized by the administration because of their activities on the Ad Hoc Committee. The committee was formed by the plaintiffs Parker and Fox. President Rossey commented, "We have received notice of the suit and the matter has been transmitted to the State Attorney General." Tenative arrangements have been made by the Justice Department to have the defendants represented by private council, Samuel Halpern, and in a limited capacity, William G. Williams, the Deputy Attorney General. Defending the plaintiffs is Mr. Jack Brian of the Upper Darby firm of Richard, Brian, Di Santi, and Hamilton. The charges against the administration submitted by the Ad Hoc Committee have also been investigated by the National Office of the American Association of University Professors last June. A report of their investigations can be expected in January or February.