Law School Deans, Law Schools

Law School Dean Dismissed Amid 'Hostile Work Environment' Accusations

Following an investigation, this dean is out after a year on the job.

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After four months on voluntary leave, Eric Dannenmaier has resigned as dean of Northern Illinois University College of Law. Mark Cordes will serve as interim dean.

Dannemaier’s departure from the top job at NIU Law, a school he led for less than a year, came after an investigation into allegations by a pair of female temps of a “hostile work environment” (UPDATE 7/10/17: Despite earlier reporting from the Daily Chronicle, it’s our understanding now that these were not temps). Apparently this complaint didn’t include any allegations of “inappropriate touching” or “quid pro quo requests,” — UPDATE: To be clear, these quotes are Dannenmaier’s position — which… not to excuse harassment of any kind by suggesting there are “tiers” of harassment, but that’s certainly better than many stories we hear.

Still, Dannemaier resigned because he wanted to end the distraction to the school:

He went on to say he was “highly shocked” by the allegations and noted a review showed the two employees enjoyed working with him.

“I will likely never understand how they could interpret any of my words or actions as creating a hostile work environment or what motivated the complaint months after the communications alleged,” he wrote in his letter.

This statement in the abstract underscores exactly why there can’t be “tiers” of harassment. Because once we start to accept that idea, it’s too easy to dismiss harassment as “just words” or make excuses like “they didn’t say anything at the time.” And perhaps this statement is entirely accurate and nothing happened here, but the way it reads steps on a lot of disturbing tropes in addressing workplace harassment.

As the interim dean, Cordes will report to Acting President Lisa Freeman because…

The trustees, as expected, also appointed university Executive Vice President and Provost Lisa Freeman as acting president, starting Saturday. She replaces outgoing President Doug Baker, who resigned following a state report alleging improper spending during his tenure.

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Jesus, what the hell is going on in DeKalb?

Law school dean resigns following probe at NIU [Chicago Tribune]

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