MIDDLETOWN — A Wesleyan University professor has filed a federal lawsuit against the school alleging administrators mishandled an investigation into sexual harassment complaints she made against a dean.
The Hartford Courant reports the lawsuit brought by Associate Professor Lauren Caldwell claims discrimination and retaliation after she approached Andrew Curran in 2013 about sexual comments he had allegedly made toward her.
Curran was the dean of arts and humanities at the time and Caldwell’s faculty mentor.
Caldwell approached Curran after deciding not to file a formal complaint.
An internal investigation found Curran “lacked boundaries” but his conduct wasn’t “sexual harassment.”
Wesleyan University issued a statement:
“The University is aware of the action commenced by Professor Caldwell and the various claims made therein. Professor Caldwell has received tenure at Wesleyan and the University has investigated her complaints. Wesleyan believes that the lawsuit is without merit and it intends to defend itself vigorously.”
Curran, who is now the William Armstrong Professor of Humanities, declined to comment.
