The University of Utah has won a lengthy court battle over allegations of discrimination and sexual harassment at the U.'s Women Resource Center.
But the victory has cost the State Risk Management Pool "in excess of half a million dollars," according to U. attorney John Morris.Morris considers the money well spent. "The alternative is to pay claims that have no merit. The university simply cannot do that," he said.
U.S. District Judge David Winder ruled Friday that the U. was fair to employee Beverly Purrington when it passed her over for the directorship of the Women's Resource Center in 1989.
Purrington alleged U. officials denied her the post in retaliation for complaints of sexual harassment she made against the center's former director, Shauna Adix.
But Winder ruled that while the search for a new director "was not handled perfectly or even ideally," it was fair to all four finalists for the directorship, including Purrington.
Purrington's problems with Adix and Afesa Adams, associate vice president of academic affairs, did not taint the selection process, he ruled.
Purrington served as program coordinator and, later, acting director for the resource center. During her four-year tenure there, she often said Adix made sexual overtures to her and other women.
Other women also complained about Adix's sexual overtures. But none of the women filed formal complaints of sexual harassment against Adix, Winder said.
Purrington sought the directorship when Adix left the center in 1988. Purrington was appointed acting director while the U. launched a national search for a permanent director.
A search committee selected Purrington as one of four finalists for the post. But the job was given to Kathleen Brooks.
Purrington resigned from the U. and filed a lawsuit.
Charlotte Miller, attorney for Purrington, expressed disappointment at the ruling. But suits like Purrington's serve a purpose, she said.
"I think it's important that institutions like the U. realize that when people feel like there is inappropriate behavior, they will do something about it. I think it's important that we brought the lawsuit and pursued it to the end," she said.
Francis Wikstrom, a private attorney representing the U., said, "I'm absolutely delighted. I couldn't be happier with the outcome. The U.'s selection process was vindicated without a doubt," he said.
"The judge said while it wasn't perfect or ideal, it was certainly fair and reasonable. That's all we ever claimed it was."
Morris said the U. doesn't have all the legal bills yet on the case.
"But it doesn't come out of the U. budget."
However, ultimately the cost of the case does come out of taxpayer pockets. The State Risk Management Pool is a self-insurance program funded by state agencies. The agencies pay premiums into the pool, which then pays for cases like Purrington's.
"It is an unfortunate - but I think proper - use of resources to defend these cases," Morris said.
"Eventually, if you prove to people you are willing to defend meritless cases, they will stop filing them. In the short run, these cases cost a lot. In the long run, it is clearly the right thing to do."