A Settlement with Ohio Northern University
The American First Legal (AFL) has reached a settlement with Ohio Northern University (ONU), reinstating a law professor who claimed he was dismissed for opposing the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices. This information comes from a press release shared by Daily Colour.
AFL discussed the conclusion involving Dr. Scott Gerber, a lifetime professor, who alleged retaliation for his criticism of the university’s supposed sexual and racial policies. The lawsuit notes that the university required two non-white staff members and reportedly overlooked a white individual who had engaged in his work.
One Twitter commentary suggested that this incident reflects the ongoing culture wars, asserting that a lifetime academic can no longer express dissent without repercussions. It stated, “Even a lifetime professor is no longer tolerated…”
Supporters of Dr. Gerber praised him for his bravery in filing complaints regarding ONU’s approach to race and gender in professor hiring, labeling it as potentially illegal.
Dr. Gerber has been vocal about his opposition to racial preferences in college admissions, a topic he has addressed several times, viewing such preferences as a protected status within higher education.
He claimed that job opportunities were frequently skewed in favor of minorities and women, excluding conservative and libertarian white men from consideration.
His actions against the DEI hiring policies were documented in ongoing litigation for 2024 at ONU. Gerber had raised his concerns with several ONU administrators, suggesting that the university’s practices might violate employment laws. He lodged complaints with both the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission in 2022.
The lawsuit details an incident on April 14, 2023, when campus security allegedly removed him forcibly from a classroom. Subsequently, he was escorted to the dean’s office, where he was presented with the option to resign or face termination. Gerber stood firm against resigning, prompting the university to initiate termination procedures against him.
The lawsuit emphasizes that the university’s disciplinary actions were executed through a flawed process, leaving Dr. Gerber without proper means to defend himself. It argues that this treatment severely damaged his reputation and hindered his chances of securing similar positions elsewhere.
Originally, the university contended that Gerber posed a safety risk to faculty, staff, and students. A letter from University President Melissa Bauman accused him of “moral tort,” as stated in the lawsuit.
Following the settlement, ONU officially recognized that Gerber does not present any security threats, dismissed claims of moral torts, and acknowledged the contributions he made while employed there.
