Former prof sues U. in tenure case

A former Veterinary School professor filed suit against the University in Philadelphia federal court late last month, following an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruling that her sexual discrimination charges against the University had merit. The plaintiff in the case, Veterinary School oncologist Ann Jeglum, originally revealed in November that the EEOC had recently made findings in the discrimination case, originally filed in 1990. Under the EEOC's determination, Jeglum was required to file suit against the University within 90 days or else waive the right to bring suit. In the suit, Jeglum -- once chief of oncology in the Vet School -- claims the University discriminated against her both by denying her tenure in 1987 and 1989 and by paying "less qualified or equally qualified male employees" higher wages. The General Counsel's office said yesterday that private talks between the University and Jeglum are continuing as they have since before the case was filed. "We understand that the suit was filed to perserve Dr. Jeglum's rights under the law," Assistant General Counsel Elizabeth O'Brien said yesterday. "Meanwhile, the University's negotiations with Dr. Jeglum are continuing." The suit states that at the time of Jeglum's tenure denial, the Department of Veterinary Medicine contained eighteen tenured members, all of whom were men. According to the suit, 20 percent of the 35 current non-tenured faculty members in the department are women. In addition to the tenure and wage discrimination charges, the suit also alleges that Jeglum was a victim of sexual harassment throughout her employment at the University, claiming she was subjected to "offensive remarks, and unfounded allegations that she [refused] to be 'cooperative' with other members of the faculty." Jeglum left her office in the Clinical Studies division of the Veterinary Hospital in February and now works in a West Chester veterinary clinic and lab. The suit also names as defendants the Vet School and three current and past Vet School administrators. Vet School Dean Edwin Andrews, former Veterinary Medicine chairperson Kenneth Bovee and recently-resigned Veterinary Medicine chairperson Darrell Biery are named individually as well as in their positions at the Vet School. Andrews is currently attending a conference in Florida and could not be reached for comment. Jeglum, who is also at a Florida conference, and her lawyer, on vacation, could not be reached for comment either. Jeglum was denied tenure by the University in 1987 and 1989, filing an internal grievance against the University shortly after her second tenure denial. The grievance process continued for over a year, until a faculty panel returned its confidential recommendations to the provost this summer. Jeglum seeks lost wages, benefits and expenses due to both her tenure denial and wage discrimination while at the University. She also seeks tenure retroactive from her tenure denial in 1989. Jeglum left her office in the Clinical Studies division of the Veterinary Hospital in February and now works in a West Chester veterinary clinic and lab. While at the University, Jeglum worked in the Vet School's Small Animal Hospital and spent more than five years researching treatments for certain forms of cancer in dogs, under funding from the American Kennel Club.