On Monday, March 24, Norwich University Assistant Professor of Communications and Advisor to student-run newspaper The Guidon Shane Graber filed a lawsuit against Norwich University, according to VTDigger.
Graber was put on extended leave after turmoil surrounding The Guidon, and alleged suppression of the press by the university administration, according to previous reporting by The Equinox.
This is the second reported lawsuit involving the university after a previous lawsuit of sexual discrimination and harassment was filed by former employee Elizabeth Kennedy against the university and their former President Gen. Mark Anarumo, which The Equinox previously reported.
The suit was filed in Montpelier, Vt. at Washington County Superior Court, alleging the university “defamed him, violated his contract and retaliated against him,” said VTDigger.
In a PDF copy of the complaint posted by VTDigger, Graber alleged the university mounted a pressure campaign against him over The Guidon’s reporting. He also alleged in the filing that Norwich University professor and Department of Global Humanities Chair Amy Woodbury-Tease made a public statement saying the suspension of The Guidon was because of “Title IX” and “personnel” issues. Graber alleged in the complaint that this implicated him in Title IX sexual misconduct. The complaint stated, “This suggested that Dr. Graber was involved in a Title IX action, which would ordinarily be interpreted to mean that Dr. Graber had been accused of sexual misconduct of some kind. That is false.”
VTDigger reported an email statement from university spokesperson Sarah Stefanuik in which she stated, “This lawsuit is without merit, and we will defend Norwich University vigorously.”
Timothy Fitzpatrick can be contacted at
tfitzpatrick@kscequinox.com
