An employee has filed a federal complaint against Ohio University claiming she was stripped of paid administrative leave and her son was kicked out of a masters program in retaliation to sexual harassment and bullying claims she made against former OU vice president Howard Lipman.
Molly Taylor-Elkins spent almost two years as Lipman's executive assistant. She says she felt harassed and bullied by Lipman and that on multiple occasions he made inappropriate sexual comments to her and other female employees.
A university investigation conducted last year agreed Lipman created a hostile work environment but couldn't find enough evidence to substantiate the sexual harassment claims.
Elkins says OU then removed her from paid administrative leave and placed her on sick leave - cutting off her income until she returns to campus next month.
Her son received a letter of admittance to OU's sports administration masters program Feb. 9, according to records provided to The Post. But on March 30, about four weeks after Elkins filed complaints against Lipman, her son received another letter from the program - saying his application had been denied.
In July, Elkins filed a discrimination complaint against the university with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Although the EEOC investigation is still pending, Elkins has demanded $225,000 in damages, free OU tuition for her and two children, and five years paid medical expenses from the university.
It's not about the money - it's treating people right and being held accountable
she said.
OU says the discrimination claims are unfounded and refused the settlement.
OU President Roderick McDavis and officials in the sports administration program would not comment on Elkins' assertions or the pending EEOC investigation.
Lipman, who left OU in December for a similar, higher-paying position at Florida International University, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The following account was compiled based on interviews with Elkins, current and former University Advancement employees, university officials and public records obtained by The Post.
Breaking Point
In 2006, Howard Lipman left his position at Florida International University and came to OU as the vice president for University Advancement - a $232,000-a-year job as OU's chief fundraiser and CEO of the OU Foundation.
Two years into his tenure as one of OU's five vice presidents, Lipman hired Elkins as his executive assistant. She made $54,035 last year.
Elkins said Lipman routinely raised his voice with employees and created a hostile and extremely stressful work environment.
But last February she reached her breaking point.
Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit and Mike Angelini, at the time OU's top financial administrator, had requested a last-minute meeting with Lipman. To accommodate them, Elkins had canceled a meeting Lipman had scheduled with an academic dean.
According to a March 9 e-mail from Elkins to the Office of Institutional Equity, an irate Lipman demanded to know who scheduled the meeting, declaring: Don't ever put another meeting like that on my calendar again before asking me. I don't report to the provost and she is just a colleague to me ... I only report to the president.
After the meeting, a still angry Lipman returned and continued to yell at Elkins. In tears, she ran to the bathroom.
Multiple University Advancement employees told OU officials they could hear Lipman yelling from other floors of the building, according to notes from the Office of Institutional Equity's investigation.
Elkins says Lipman insisted on discussing the confrontation after she left the bathroom but that she was crying too hard to speak.
She claims Lipman then made a sexually charged comment in an attempt to smooth things over.
Elkins says Lipman approached her desk and said: Some people make up by having sex and since we can't do that let me buy you lunch.
She says she denied the offer.
In his interview with the OIE investigator, Lipman acknowledged that he was frustrated after having worked an 18-hour day. He said he was disappointed Elkins defied his orders not to schedule or cancel meetings without his approval.
But Lipman insisted he never made the comment about make-up sex.
'I could never get away from work'
Elkins said she often felt harassed and bullied by Lipman.
She said Lipman often sent her text messages after hours and on weekends demanding she fix his schedule or complete other tasks during her two years as his assistant.
I felt like I could never get away from work. I was a nervous wreck she said.
While on the clock, Elkins said she and other University Advancement employees were often subject to Lipman's mood swings.
In interviews with OIE investigators, other OU employees called Lipman's yelling legendary and cited other instances of harsh and sexual comments.
Several employees said Lipman was difficult to work for, and job expectations were not clearly delineated. Many worried that participation in the investigation would get them fired.
At a March 1 staff meeting, Lipman reamed one employee for photocopying the meeting agenda on half sheets of paper instead of full sheets, Elkins said.
The following day, Elkins said Lipman called her into his office as she was getting ready to leave work and asked her to rub his neck. Later he asked her to rub his arm, she said.
In his interview, Lipman admitted to asking her for a neck rub, but insisted that he was joking and said Elkins knew that.
OU investigates
On March 4, Elkins filed hostile work environment and sexual harassment complaints against Lipman with OU's Office of Institutional Equity.
A formal investigation was conducted by OIE Executive Director Laura Myers from March 4 to April 19.
Myers interviewed 15 people, including Elkins, Lipman, eight former office assistants in University Advancement and other OU officials.
It was intense and emotional for everyone
Myers said. People were pretty forthcoming.
Because of the high-profile nature of the case, Myers said she informed both Benoit and McDavis of the investigation. At no point during the investigation was Lipman placed on leave.
After interviews were complete, Myers concluded that Elkins' allegations of sexual harassment could not be substantiated.
Based on my interpretation of federal laws
the proof (of sexual harassment) given by Molly Taylor
witnesses and Howard Lipman was not severe or pervasive enough
Myers said.
The investigation did find, however, that Elkins was subjected to inappropriate conduct under OU's policy on workplace violence.
Myers recommended Lipman undergo workplace management training, but only McDavis could decide the course of action, she said.
Human Resources coordinated two meetings in August to address effective communication and supervisory skills. It is unclear whether OU took any other disciplinary measures against Lipman. McDavis' office declined comment:
Because there are pending legal issues related to your questions
I am not at liberty to comment
nor is President McDavis
said Becky Watts, McDavis' chief of staff, via e-mail.
Not enough
Elkins says OU didn't do enough to protect her from retaliation during the investigation or to discipline Lipman afterwards.
She said Lipman had access to all witnesses on campus during the investigation, as he was not separated from her or other employees.
Howard Lipman never got scolded or time off
Elkins said. The president should have removed him.
OU did grant Elkins paid administrative leave, but the leave was not approved until March 23, after all but one of the investigation's interviews had been conducted.
But Myers said the investigation was conducted fairly and that the informal gathered in interviews was kept confidential from Lipman.
I honestly believe we handled (Elkins') case appropriately
