University of Iowa to pay $150,000 to former study abroad director

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa has agreed to pay its former study abroad director who lost her job in 2012 - and her attorney - a total of $150,000 after she sued the institution for discrimination, retaliation, and failure to follow procedures.

Janis Perkins, who became UI's first study abroad director in 1997 and was appointed to assistant dean of UI International Programs in 2010, learned Jan. 4, 2012, that her position would be cut April 4, 2012, according to a lawsuit filed on Dec. 10, 2012, in Johnson County District Court.

Perkins, in the lawsuit, said administrators called her dismissal part of a 'comprehensive reorganization” of International Programs, which also resulted in the discharge of Scott King, former assistant dean of the Office of International Studies and Scholars.

But she argued in the lawsuit that Downing Thomas, associate provost of International Programs, and Lori Cranston, a financial officer for the UI Office of the Provost, had harassed, bullied, and discriminated against her for months due to health disabilities.

Perkins reported superiors discriminated against her because she took leave to treat her disabilities and then retaliated against her both for her disabilities and for complaining about discrimination, according to the lawsuit.

Her disabilities, according to the suit, involved an autoimmune disorder diagnosed in 2000 that required periods of leave for treatment and severe depression, including an episode requiring hospitalization in 2005.

In the lawsuit, Perkins said the university's reorganization was 'hastily done” over winter break and 'was a mere pretext for terminating (Perkins) based on her disability.”

Before June 17, 2011, Perkins reported receiving excellent performance reviews.

She sued the state, Thomas, and Cranston for disability discrimination and retaliation that she reported cost past and future medical expenses, caused mental and emotional harm, anxiety, fear, depression, and resulted in future loss of wages, earning capacity, and full mind and body.

Perkins' settlement with the university, finalized Sept. 26, compels the institution to pay her $75,732.54 for wages and emotional distress and her attorney $74,267.46 for costs and fees.

As part of the deal, Perkins agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and never seek employment with the UI again. The agreement stresses that it's not an admission that the UI or any of its employees broke the law.

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