Attorneys on behalf of a professor in the OU School of Dance filed a lawsuit this week against the university, Provost André-Denis Wright, and College of Fine Arts Dean Mary Margaret Holt, claiming discrimination based on sexuality.
According to documents filed in Oklahoma's Western District, first reported by The Oklahoman, Austin Hartel, an OU School of Dance associate professor who has worked at the university for over 20 years, is seeking $2 million in compensatory damages.
Hartel’s case cited several reasons for filing the lawsuit, including alleged violations of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX violations, a hostile work environment, retaliation and invasion of privacy.
OU School of Dance associate professor Austin Hartel.
According to the lawsuit, Hartel claims to have been subjected to unlawful employment discrimination after being denied a promotion to become a full professor, which he claims to be based on his “sexual orientation as a straight male.” The lawsuit also claims that Hartel allegedly faced retaliation for his “advocacy against sexual harassment.”
Hartel is suing Wright in his capacity for overseeing faculty promotion while ensuring compliance with university policies and anti-discrimination laws.
Holt is being sued in both her capacities as dean of the College of Fine Arts and former director of the School of Dance, who Hartel claims engaged in discriminatory and retaliatory actions against him.
According to the lawsuit, Hartel applied for a promotion to become a full professor in 2024, which he alleges was denied due to having “insufficient peer-reviewed work inadequacies in his creative statement.”
Hartel’s lawsuit claims he has more peer reviewed work than any other faculty member in the School of Dance.
Hartel told the Daily Friday morning he is in possession of several recordings where Holt uses derogatory remarks about straight males.
In one instance, according to the lawsuit, Holt allegedly asserted that straight male dancers typically go around and sleep with girls in the company which makes them “disgusting.”
According to the lawsuit, Hartel was an advocate of a male student who allegedly filed a sexual harassment complaint against a former faculty member of the School of Dance.
The lawsuit alleges that Holt “protected” the accused faculty member, showing favoritism despite allegations of sexual misconduct. Hartel’s support of the student, according to the lawsuit, contributed to the accused faculty member’s dismissal from his position, as well as alleged retaliation directed at Hartel from Holt and other faculty members.
Reached Friday, Holt referred the Daily to OU’s legal counsel for comment.
In an email to the Daily, OU Marketing and Communications wrote that it is not the practice of the university to comment on pending litigation.
Hartel alleges he faced “unwarranted investigations” into his conduct following his advocacy, and was excluded from leadership opportunities. He alleges this contributed to a hostile work environment in which his faculty evaluations allegedly became negative and included “ageist” language.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants knowingly and intentionally disclosed or accessed Hartel’s private medical information without proper authorization or a legitimate purpose.
The lawsuit states that Hartel is requesting the matter be tried by a jury and he be granted compensatory damages of no less than $1 million for pay, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
Hartel is also requesting compensatory relief for no less than $1 million for punitive damages for the defendants “willful and reckless conduct,” attorney fees, costs and expenses, pre and post judgment interest, and any other relief that the court deems just.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ana Barboza.
