Ohio University Settles Lawsuit for $400,000 After Professor’s Firing over Harassment Claims
Ohio University recently agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve a lawsuit filed by Yusuf Kalyango, a journalism professor dismissed following sexual harassment allegations from two female students. Kalyango initiated the lawsuit in April 2022, a year after his termination by the university’s Board of Trustees.
Kalyango claimed he faced discrimination based on his race, national origin, and gender. He is a Black man originally from East Africa. He also stated he was retaliated against for opposing this alleged discrimination.
While the judge dismissed several of Kalyango’s discrimination claims, the retaliation charge made it to trial. Just as the university was preparing for the legal proceedings, which included arranging testimony from one of the students, a settlement was reached in June 2024.
Typically, most civil cases settle out of court rather than going to trial. In addition to Kalyango’s settlement, the university also paid $90,000 to one of the students who made harassment claims against him.
Kalyango received $200,000 for lost wages and another $200,000 for non-economic damages, which might include emotional distress and harm to his reputation. The settlement also provided tuition benefits for Kalyango’s sons, similar to those enjoyed by children of university employees.
Tess Herman, one of the students involved, remarked via email, “Let’s not forget that this all started because students were put into dangerous circumstances. I hope that Ohio University works more effectively and efficiently to protect students better in the future.”
Harassment Allegations and Investigations
Herman filed her initial harassment claim against Kalyango in July 2017, during a study abroad program in Africa. She accused Kalyango of retaliating after she refused to share a hotel room with him. After the program, she alleged he falsified her job performance reviews.
The investigation reignited another harassment claim against Kalyango from an earlier case involving a student from 2011. That prior investigation found no evidence against him. However, when reopened, the second investigation led to claims of harassment against Kalyango, which he denied.
Both cases led a faculty committee to recommend termination. Yet, in December 2020, the committee sided with Kalyango, indicating he hadn’t been convincingly proven guilty of harassment and citing flaws in previous investigations.
Social Media Backlash and Shifting Decisions
The committee’s report, previously kept confidential, was leaked to the press, sparking outrage among students and alumni. The Faculty Senate ultimately voted to withdraw the committee’s recommendation, stating the process had been “fatally flawed.”
In March 2021, the Board of Trustees confronted the committee’s recommendation. After another review, the board unanimously decided to uphold the termination, concluding that Kalyango had engaged in sexual harassment.
Kalyango maintained he was a victim of discrimination, arguing that university policies favored women over men in such cases. He believed that bias, influenced by the #MeToo movement, shaped the investigations against him.
This case highlights ongoing issues surrounding harassment policies in educational institutions and the evolving landscape of accountability. Recent statistics show that over 40% of students report experiencing some form of sexual harassment while in college, indicating the need for stronger protective measures.
As discussions about discrimination and harassment policies continue to evolve, this case serves as an important reminder of the complexities involved in such sensitive issues.
For further insights on sexual harassment policies in universities, you can refer to this report from the U.S. Department of Justice.
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