MORGANTOWN -- A West Virginia University professor is suing the university after he claims he was discriminated against.
Michele G. Wheatly, as provost; C.B. Wilson, as associate provost; Eugene V. Cilento, as dean of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources; and Brian Woerner, as chair of the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering were also named as defendants in the suit.
K. Subramani is an associate professor in the Lane Department at West Virginia University, according to a complaint filed Nov. 15 in Monongalia Circuit Court.
Subramani claims annually he prepared a faculty file, which was submitted for evaluation for retention, promotion and tenure purposes, which was required by the University Promotion and Tenure Guidelines and other WVU policies and procedures.
Four years after being promoted to associate professor and receiving tenure, Subramani applied for promotion to full professor, according to the suit.
Subramani claims his application was denied by Wheatly.
Although Subramani was required to make "'significant' contributions in teaching and research, with reasonable contributions in service during all years of his employment," the defendants informed him that he was denied on the basis that "his teaching evaluations from Fall 2006 through Fall 2009 did not meet the requirement of making a 'significant contribution,'" according to the suit.
Subramani claims the defendants breached their contract and their good faith and fair dealing.
The defendants caused Subramani humiliation and embarrassment, according to the suit.
Subramani is seeking for the court to order the defendant to give him a proper evaluation; that he be promoted to full professor; that he be awarded back pay; and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Joseph T. Hodges III.
Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 11-C-732