Former Faculty Member Sues Lewis-Clark State College for Sexual Discrimination

Leslie Rist, a former tenure-track faculty member at Lewis Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, has filed a federal lawsuit against her former employer. According to the Associated Press, Rist brought forth allegations made by two women students that they had been sexually harassed by a male faculty member to the college’s human resources office. But according to the lawsuit no substantive action was taken against the male faculty member and Rist subsequently did not have her contract renewed.

The Associated Press also reported that Rist’s husband wrote a letter to a legislator stating that public funds had been used to sponsor a golf retreat for staff members. Rist claims that soon afterward, her teaching load was reduced.

Rist is seeking her job back and $500,000 in damages.