An OU staff member has been charged with three counts of first-degree arson in relation to three small fires that occurred in the Chemistry Building earlier this semester.

Susan Lauterbach, coordinator of instructional labs and facility safety for the OU chemistry and biochemistry department, was charged with three counts of arson after she allegedly attempted starting fires in the Chemistry Building and the Chemistry Annex Sept. 8, 10 and 11, Cleveland County District Court documents stated.

“It was learned through the course of this investigation that Lauterbach’s lack of interpersonal skills had been specifically criticized and noted during her personnel evaluation and through statements from other supervisors and co-workers,” OU fire marshal Kevin Leach stated in a probable cause affidavit. “Lauterbach had a personal dislike for her supervisor, Robert Houser, and believed him to be an adversary.”

Leach states Lauterbach sent an e-mail to a colleague that seemed questionable in how she felt towards Houser.

“I’m not fighting with him anymore,” Lauterbach states. “If the building burns, it’s not my problem.”

Lauterbach has been on administrative leave since mid-September and will remain so until the case is resolved, OU spokesman Jay Doyle stated in an e-mail.

Leach later states Lauterbach was angry with the Chemistry Department for not including her in conversations regarding the installation of security cameras in the Chemistry buildings. Lauterbach also felt she was unappreciated, under compensated and her authority had been downgraded, he stated.

“Control of the budget for the Instructional Labs had been taken away from [her],” he stated. “Lauterbach had become upset with how changes were occurring in the Chemistry Department and her role in the decision making process.”

While OU officials investigated the fire on Sept. 11, Lauterbach attempted to interfere with the investigation, according to the affidavit.

“Lauterbach was a disgruntled employee that was looking for other employment,” Leach stated.

According to the affidavit, the fire in room 326 of the Chemistry Annex on Sept. 8 was found to be intentionally set.

“I have determined that the fire was intentionally set by igniting paper towels inside a locked Teaching Assistant closet located inside a secured room...,” Leach stated. “I... determined the fire to be willful and malicious, based upon its nature, elimination of other accidental heat sources and circumstances associated with this investigation.”

According to the affidavit, the damages in the first fire are estimated to be valued at $13,000.

Lauterbach cleaned up room 326, and later requested extra compensation for her work in the room. She was denied extra compensation, the affidavit stated.

The fire allegedly set by Lauterbach Sept. 10 took place in room 304 of the Chemistry Building. The third fire occurred in room 115 of the Chemistry Annex.

According to the affidavit, Lauterbach allegedly found a recycling bin, threw flammable material in each and then lit the bin on fire with a match.

Leach stated Lauterbach allegedly would light the fire, walk away and when asked to investigate the odor of a fire, would blame the smell of smoke on the Sept. 8 fire.

Lauterbach also would allegedly find ways to delay her arrival to the scene of a potential fire to investigate.

Lauterbach's first hearing is yet to be scheduled.