Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, December 4, 2013
(BLOOMINGTON) - Indiana University Northwest assistant professor Anne Balay has filed a legal complaint accusing the university of discrimination in their tenure process based on her gender and sexual orientation.
Balay claims the university denied her tenure and promotion, resulting in her termination at the end of this school year, because she is a woman and homosexual.
Balay teaches five English courses and and one course on gender studies and has been employed as an assistant professor for eight years.
The IUN Faculty Board of Review will hear the case today.
The Indiana Human Rights Commission and the Federal Department of Education will begin administrative reviews in an effort to determine whether Balay faced workplace discrimination and both gender and sexual orientation discrimination.
Balay applied for tenure and the promotion in the fall of 2012 . Her department chair and dean rejected two different unanimous recommendations by faculty committees to grant her tenure and promotion.
According to Balay's lawyer Roy Dominguez, after seven years of employment as an assistant professor, a faculty member can apply for tenure and promotion to associate professor. Then seven years after that, they can apply for full professorship.
Associate Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations at IU Mark Land says the University is aware of the complaint but would not comment on the case.
Dominquez says a decision is expected within 30 days. If the board decides not to grant Balay tenure and promotion, Balay will have the opportunity to fight her case at the federal level.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.