TENURED PROFESSORS BRING CLAIMS OF DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION AGAINST KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

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MANHATTAN, Kan.—April 3, 2025—Kansas State University tenured professors have brought claims alleging that Kansas State University violated state and federal anti-discrimination laws. All claims involve discrimination and retaliation within the University’s College of Arts and Sciences headed by Dean Chris Culbertson. The claims have been brought by University Distinguished Professor Dr. Yolanda Broyles-Gonzalez ( Dept. of Social Transformation Studies), Dr. Rebecca Bahlmann (Professor, Art Department) and Dr Harlan Weaver (Associate Professor, Social Transformation Studies)

 

All of the three professors claim that they attempted to communicate with Dean Chris Culbertson related to their respective issues, who proved unable to listen openly to their concerns and unwilling to weigh all sides regarding varied issues, such as longstanding and toxic patterns of dysfunction in their respective departments. In response to the professors raising their concerns, Culbertson intentionally disregarded a legally binding agreement regarding salary and failed to follow official Kansas State University policies expressly outlined by the University’s Policy and Procedures Manual, especially pertaining to mandated administrative review standards, faculty performance reviews, and procedural due process requirements.

 

The professors allege that the University has violated several federal and state laws, such as discrimination and retaliation on the basis of sex and race in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of disability in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, interference with and retaliation in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act, breach of contract, and other Kansas anti-discrimination laws.

 

The professors feel strongly that Kansas State University should be investing tax-payer dollars in scholarships, along with minimizing its debt. Kansas State University should not be investing in the expensive defense of what the professors claim are illegal activities. Instead of using in-house attorneys employed by the University, Kansas State University is being represented by the Kansas City law firm Husch Blackwell to defend against the professors’ allegations, undoubtedly increasing the University’s taxpayer-funded budget deficit. As of June 2023, Kansas State University carries a budget deficit of $477.37 million, compared to $439.77 million in 2022.

 

DETAILS

Dr. Broyles-González holds appointment at the highest level: the title of University Distinguished Professor. She has committed her life to social justice and is a nationally and internationally renowned civil rights advocate and scholar. Dr. Broyles-González’s civil rights advocacy has received the highest honors, including at the White House for her advocacy work. The White House honored Dr. Broyles-González’s successful legal challenge against the University of California’s unequal pay of women and minorities. Dr. Broyles-González charges Kansas State University with breach of contract in conjunction with Dean Culbertson’s disregard for the hiring agreement that recruited her to Kansas State University in 2013, which specified the salary adjustment that would follow upon the end of Dr. Broyles-González’s administrative duties as department head. Dr. Broyles-González also challenges Dean Culbertson’s reappointment of Dr. Broyles-Gonzalez as Head of Social Transformation Studies in May 2023 and his erratic reversal less than four weeks later, without the benefit of any meaningful or legitimate investigation.

 

Dr. Bahlmann was recently promoted to Full Professor of Art, a promotion that then Art Department Head Mr. Matthew Gaynor and new Dept. Head Associate Professor Shreepad Joglekar and Dean Culbertson attempted to prevent. Also, just weeks after Dr. Bahlmann filed her complaints in federal court alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Dean Culbertson immediately dismissed Dr. Bahlmann from the University. In doing so, Dean Culbertson removed Dr. Bahlmann’s access to her University email, demanded that Dr. Bahlmann have no communication with University employees or students, and ceased payment of Dr. Bahlmann’s salary and benefits, all in violation of longstanding and well-established Kansas State University policies and procedures. The American Association of University Professors has condemned the University’s pre-emptive dismissal of a tenured faculty member without due process, as described here (link). Dr Bahlmann (artist name Hackemann) is a 2025 NSA Library of Congress Fellow and has an extensive art and scholarly career.

 

Dr. Weaver is a widely published writer, including his book Bad Dog: Pit Bull Politics and Multispecies Justice. Following a major surgery in March 2022, Dr. Weaver was treated differently than colleagues who underwent the same or similar procedures and was pressured to return to work after only two weeks of recovery rather than the medically necessary 6-8 weeks. Because of this differential treatment and its consequences, Dr. Weaver complained to the University’s Office of Institutional Equity. Unfortunately, Dr. Weaver’s complaints yielded an onslaught of retaliatory actions overseen by the University and from which Dr. Weaver was provided no protections. These actions forced Dr. Weaver to seek workplace accommodations and take time away from teaching and research.

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PROFESSORS

“We take these legal actions in order to improve the work environment for all who work and study at K-State. We want to see a university administration that honors its legal agreements, and that makes decisions and takes action in accordance with long established Kansas State University administrative policies, and principles of community. We thank the Manhattan community and the university community—faculty, students, staff—for the ongoing support of our legal efforts and of our vision of an equitable work environment. We thank our families and professional networks for unwavering support. We thank the distinguished American Association of University Professors for their involvement and condemnation of Kansas State University’s pre-emptive dismissal of a tenured faculty member (Dr. Rebecca Bahlmann) without due process. This egregious action is singular within America’s academic institutions.  In summary, our legal actions are in defense of established university policies and federal laws that support a welcoming and productive college and university climate and culture.”

PRESS RELEASE