The case at American U., in Washington, began with a denial of tenure in 2015.Nikki Kahn, The Washington Post via Getty Images
A professor at American University who said she had been denied tenure because of her age was awarded more than $1 million in damages by a jury in Washington on Monday.
Loubna Skalli Hanna, a Middle East scholar, filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming age discrimination and breach of contract, in 2015, when she was 52. She had been appointed to a tenure-track position in the School of International Service in 2008 and had applied for tenure and promotion in 2013, her lawyers said in a news release.
Or subscribe now to read with unlimited access for less than $10/month.
Don’t have an account? Sign up now.
A free account provides you access to a limited number of free articles each month, plus newsletters, job postings, salary data, and exclusive store discounts.
If you need assistance, please contact us at 202-466-1032 or help@chronicle.com.
The case at American U., in Washington, began with a denial of tenure in 2015.Nikki Kahn, The Washington Post via Getty Images
A professor at American University who said she had been denied tenure because of her age was awarded more than $1 million in damages by a jury in Washington on Monday.
Loubna Skalli Hanna, a Middle East scholar, filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming age discrimination and breach of contract, in 2015, when she was 52. She had been appointed to a tenure-track position in the School of International Service in 2008 and had applied for tenure and promotion in 2013, her lawyers said in a news release.
External evaluators, committees, and the dean reviewed Hanna’s application and recommended her for tenure, the release said. It was then denied by Scott Bass, provost at the time.
During the trial, held in the District of Columbia Superior Court before Judge Michael L. Rankin, Hanna’s lawyers argued that Bass had said during a faculty meeting that he “knows it in his gut” when an applicant deserves tenure, the release said.
They also questioned Bass about his own scholarly work on aging and the role of older workers in a market economy. They said he had approved tenure for younger candidates with lesser publication records.
ADVERTISEMENT
The eight-member jury sided with Hanna, awarding her $1,151,000 in compensatory damages and $175,000 in emotional damages.
In a statement late on Monday, the university said: “While we respect the jury system, we feel strongly that no discrimination took place in this case. We are evaluating our options and considering next steps. We will not comment further on matters pending before the court.”
Hanna now teaches part time for the University of California system’s program in Washington, said Devin Wrigley, one of her lawyers.
EmmaPettit is a senior reporter at The Chronicle who covers the ways people within higher ed work and live — whether strange, funny, harmful, or hopeful. She’s also interested in political interference on campus, as well as overlooked crevices of academe, such as a scrappy puppetry program at an R1 university and a charmed football team at a Kansas community college. Follow her on Twitter at @EmmaJanePettit, or email her at emma.pettit@chronicle.com.