Lynn Ilon's story

Lynn Ilon was hired in 1990 as an assistant professor in the social and philosophical foundations program area of the educational leadership and policy department of the SUNY Buffalo Graduate School of Education. In 1992 the university hired a male professor in the same department and granted him tenure. Ilon alleges that this professor treated her in a condescending manner, gave her orders as if she were a subordinate, took credit for her efforts on joint projects, and blamed her for shortcomings on joint work. She also believed this professor was pursuing inappropriate sexual relations with female students and further alleges that in 1994, the professor twice asked her to grant a female student favorable testing procedures. Ilon refused on both occasions.

On one occasion in 1998, the male professor came to Ilon's office to discuss certain issues between them. Ilon ultimately concluded that the conversation was not healthy and asked him to leave, but he remained in her office and continued talking. Ilon felt he was creating in her a fear of danger, because he was blocking the exit and no other people were nearby. She reported these events and her belief that he was involved in sexual relations with his students to university administrators. She then filed a complaint with the affirmative action officer.

During the 1998-99 academic year, Ilon applied for tenure. She withdrew her application, in part because the male professor was one of 14 members on the review committee. Although the university encouraged Ilon to completely withdraw her complaint against the professor during the tenure process, Ilon instead placed the complaint on hold.

Ilon resubmitted her tenure packet in 1999-2000, but tenure was denied despite her qualified record. Ilon alleges that the university retaliated against her for filing a complaint against the male professor. For instance, after she complained, the university portrayed Ilon as uncooperative and made decisions regarding her teaching schedules, graduate assistants, and admissions to the program without consulting her. Ilon also alleges that in the 10 years prior to Ilon's departure from the university, most of the male tenure-track professors received tenure, while most of the female tenure-track professors did not. In addition, male professors were paid more than their female counterparts.

Ilon filed her complaint in New York state court in November 2000.

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