Technical Education in NV?

College Settles Sex-Harassment Lawsuit Against President (and comments by Ms. Bennett)

From: The Chronicle of Higher Education: May 1, 2006
http://chronicle.com/news/article/356/college-settles-sex-harassment-lawsuit-against-president
The Nevada System of Higher Education has agreed to pay $10,000 to a former employee of Truckee Meadows Community College to settle a sexual-harassment lawsuit against college’s president, Philip M. Ringle.
Anne-Louise Bennett, a former executive director of institutional advancement and foundation at the college, sued Mr. Ringle, the college, and the Nevada higher-education system in November 2005. The suit asserted that Mr. Ringle had created a hostile work environment after Ms. Bennett refused his invitation to have dinner at his home and join him in his hot tub while his wife was out of town.
Mr. Ringle has denied the allegations, and James E. Rogers, chancellor of the Nevada system, said in a memorandum last week that the payment is not an admission of wrongdoing.
“There is absolutely no truth to the allegations made against me,” Mr. Ringle said in a written statement sent to The Chronicle. “As a trustee of the public’s faith and resources, I know that it is important to resolve matters expediently. I am, however, saddened that the legal system has arrived at a place where serious charges must be resolved through financial considerations rather than in the purer pursuit of justice.”
For more on the settlement, see an article in the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Posted on Monday May 1, 2006 Permalink


Comments— Anne-Louise Bennett May 9, 01:32 PM
1. The Nevada System of Higher Education did not “settle” the case. They accepted the judgment against them and Philip Ringle. Here is my response to the Chancellor of NSHE:
Thank you for the update, Chancellor. However, you were not quite clear that what I accepted is an Offer of Judgment, not a common settlement with its confidentiality restrictions; i.e. I won the case.A judgment against NSHE and Phil Ringle is now on record in United States District Court, fully validating the charges in my complaint.I agree with you that this is the best resolution possible: nothing could be better for me, fairer to NSHE, or worse for Phil Ringle.You rightfully supported him until the results of the investigation, and then made the Offer of Judgment when the extent of the damage became evident. My story is just the tip of the iceberg.Money was never the issue. Attorneys seem to find that position incomprehensible, but your gift of service to higher education shows that you understand. I, too, served higher education in Nevada for over a quarter of a century and felt privileged to do so. No amount of money would have induced me to settle, because shining a light on abuse is the only way to stop it. However, I would have accepted an Offer of Judgment at any time for no money at all. (My attorney is very pleased at being paid, of course, and the For Kids Foundation is happy to be receiving any remaining funds as a gift.)I understand Systemese, and I have every confidence that there will be no more victims. That is what I sought. Thank you for making it so easy for me.By the way, your memo neglected to mention the second investigation, conducted by Michael Bland and Associates. I believe that’s the more interesting of the two. As my attorney told me, I won this case and I am at liberty to trumpet it from the rooftops. Spin as much as you like, that is the fact of the case.
Sincerely,Anne-Louise Bennett
Faculty Emerita

posted by cl @ 6:00 PM