Lawsuit, discipline on docket
Sara Gottwalles
Issue date: 6/18/09 Section: News
Former Provost Bonnie Yegidis filed a federal gender discrimination lawsuit early this month. Yegidis claims that during her three-year tenure from 2004 through 2007, she was placed in a sexually hostile environment.
Yegidis alleges after the Title IX gender equity dealings, she was retaliated against and ultimately forced to resign because of her urgings for better compliance.
Yegidis also alleges discrimination by the Board of Trustees for passing her over in favor of Dean of Business Richard Pegnetter for interim president after former President Bill Merwin resigned following an extramarital affair with a professor.
According to Yegidis, Merwin created a hostile work environment including making sexual comments about her appearance. According to the Naples Daily News, Merwin has denied these accusations but does claim he received complaints from other staff members about Yegidis' choice in apparel.
Yegidis has not yet served FGCU with her suit. "I believe serving FGCU with it is a timing issue. I do anticipate we will be served with it," said Susan Evans, university spokeswoman.
The Board of Trustees held a closed session meeting on Tuesday and they discussed the lawsuit and potential consequences.
Some FGCU students do not seem to feel that sexual harassment is a problem on campus any more than it is elsewhere.
"I haven't noticed anything different on campus. I don't see why students shouldn't feel comfortable," said Elliot Glass, a graduate student majoring in criminal forensics.
If Yegidis serves FGCU, it would be the ninth harassment issue since Merwin's resignation in 2007. According to Evans, as part of an Office of Equity and Compliance consent decree, all of FGCU's supervisors and managers are required to attend an annual workshop on equal opportunity and sexual harassment.
This is good news to students like Dawn Cappiello, a senior majoring in history.
"I think that the all sexual harassment cases on campus these past few years are disturbing. There has got to be a better way to handle all the cases," Cappiello said. "Maybe everyone should have to go to sexual harassment class at some point in their college career, perhaps during freshman orientation. Faculty should have to go yearly.
Golf management director resigns
On May 19, FGCU received the resignation of Stephen Eisenberg, director of the PGA golf management program and assistant professor of the resort and hospitality management division. In his e-mail sent to Vice President of Student Affairs J. Michael Rollo, Eisenberg thanked FGCU staff members and notes the opportunities he received.
For five years, Eisenberg worked to develop the PGA management program. His efforts will now be continued by his successor.
Acting on an anonymous tip, The News-Press requested Eisenberg's e-mails and call logs, citing Florida statute. FGCU officials grew suspicious of Eisenberg when numerous long-distance calls were made to Garrison, Utah, and Burbank, Nev., between March 2007 and February 2009. Upon further investigation, the numbers were found to connect to adult-only hotlines. Eisenberg racked up a long distance bill of $102 to Garrison and $8 to Burbank during those years investigated.
The calls, made from Eisenberg's office phone, were paid for by the university.
Public records requested by Eagle News show through November 2008 and February 2009, 36 calls were made to the Garrison number.
A comprehensive examination of Eisenberg's network computer turned up 365 sexual images. Photos included nude women and couples having sex.
On April 20, Provost Ronald Toll requested a meeting with Eisenberg via e-mail and stated the meeting would involve questioning and may lead to disciplinary action.
The following day, Eisenberg sent him an e-mail where he claimed the PGA program of 170 students was his "baby" and said obtaining certification was "no small feat." Eisenberg asked for a second chance.
On May 7, Toll requested another meeting with Eisenberg. Once again, Toll informed Eisenberg that the outcome could result in disciplinary action. Eisenberg e-mailed his resignation on the morning of May 19. Eisenberg is required to pay the $110 hot line charges from his final paycheck.
Yegidis alleges after the Title IX gender equity dealings, she was retaliated against and ultimately forced to resign because of her urgings for better compliance.
Yegidis also alleges discrimination by the Board of Trustees for passing her over in favor of Dean of Business Richard Pegnetter for interim president after former President Bill Merwin resigned following an extramarital affair with a professor.
According to Yegidis, Merwin created a hostile work environment including making sexual comments about her appearance. According to the Naples Daily News, Merwin has denied these accusations but does claim he received complaints from other staff members about Yegidis' choice in apparel.
Yegidis has not yet served FGCU with her suit. "I believe serving FGCU with it is a timing issue. I do anticipate we will be served with it," said Susan Evans, university spokeswoman.
The Board of Trustees held a closed session meeting on Tuesday and they discussed the lawsuit and potential consequences.
Some FGCU students do not seem to feel that sexual harassment is a problem on campus any more than it is elsewhere.
"I haven't noticed anything different on campus. I don't see why students shouldn't feel comfortable," said Elliot Glass, a graduate student majoring in criminal forensics.
If Yegidis serves FGCU, it would be the ninth harassment issue since Merwin's resignation in 2007. According to Evans, as part of an Office of Equity and Compliance consent decree, all of FGCU's supervisors and managers are required to attend an annual workshop on equal opportunity and sexual harassment.
This is good news to students like Dawn Cappiello, a senior majoring in history.
"I think that the all sexual harassment cases on campus these past few years are disturbing. There has got to be a better way to handle all the cases," Cappiello said. "Maybe everyone should have to go to sexual harassment class at some point in their college career, perhaps during freshman orientation. Faculty should have to go yearly.
Golf management director resigns
On May 19, FGCU received the resignation of Stephen Eisenberg, director of the PGA golf management program and assistant professor of the resort and hospitality management division. In his e-mail sent to Vice President of Student Affairs J. Michael Rollo, Eisenberg thanked FGCU staff members and notes the opportunities he received.
For five years, Eisenberg worked to develop the PGA management program. His efforts will now be continued by his successor.
Acting on an anonymous tip, The News-Press requested Eisenberg's e-mails and call logs, citing Florida statute. FGCU officials grew suspicious of Eisenberg when numerous long-distance calls were made to Garrison, Utah, and Burbank, Nev., between March 2007 and February 2009. Upon further investigation, the numbers were found to connect to adult-only hotlines. Eisenberg racked up a long distance bill of $102 to Garrison and $8 to Burbank during those years investigated.
The calls, made from Eisenberg's office phone, were paid for by the university.
Public records requested by Eagle News show through November 2008 and February 2009, 36 calls were made to the Garrison number.
A comprehensive examination of Eisenberg's network computer turned up 365 sexual images. Photos included nude women and couples having sex.
On April 20, Provost Ronald Toll requested a meeting with Eisenberg via e-mail and stated the meeting would involve questioning and may lead to disciplinary action.
The following day, Eisenberg sent him an e-mail where he claimed the PGA program of 170 students was his "baby" and said obtaining certification was "no small feat." Eisenberg asked for a second chance.
On May 7, Toll requested another meeting with Eisenberg. Once again, Toll informed Eisenberg that the outcome could result in disciplinary action. Eisenberg e-mailed his resignation on the morning of May 19. Eisenberg is required to pay the $110 hot line charges from his final paycheck.
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