Penn’s Dental School Faces Retaliation Allegations

USA: Penn’s School of Dental Medicine and its dean, Mark Wolff (pictured), are entangled in a legal dispute with former assistant dean Todd Singer, who alleges retaliation for reporting sexual misconduct. 

Singer filed a lawsuit against the Dental School and Dean Wolff in December 2022, asserting pressure to resign after raising complaints of “sexually explicit and harassing conduct” by a department chair.

Allegations and Legal Proceedings

Singer claims he faced termination after reporting the chair of the school’s periodontics department for sending sexually explicit messages to his assistant. 

These events unfolded throughout 2021, prompting Singer to sue under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. He accuses Penn of attempting to conceal the misconduct, which the university denies.

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Denials and Counterclaims

Penn denies unlawful retaliatory conduct and asserts Singer resigned following unprofessional behavior towards colleagues. The university’s defense cites instances of Singer’s alleged intimidation and bullying. 

Despite Singer’s claim of involuntary resignation, Penn contends Singer voluntarily resigned, evidenced by an email submission. The case remains in the discovery phase, with a final pretrial conference scheduled for October.

University’s Response and Investigation

Penn’s spokesperson stated that Singer’s allegations were investigated by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which found no evidence of sexual harassment or reported complaints. The University emphasizes its commitment to addressing allegations seriously and impartially.

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Task Force on Antisemitism

Amidst the legal battle, Dean Wolff chairs the University’s task force on antisemitism. The task force, formed in November 2023, aims to combat antisemitism on campus. While unrelated to the ongoing lawsuit, Wolff’s involvement underscores Penn’s multifaceted engagement with pressing issues.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

As the legal battle unfolds, both sides stand firm on their positions. Singer seeks reinstatement and damages, while Penn maintains its stance of lawful conduct. With the discovery phase ongoing and depositions scheduled, the case’s outcome remains uncertain.

The lawsuit sheds light on complex workplace dynamics and underscores the importance of addressing allegations of misconduct and retaliation in educational institutions. As the legal process progresses, stakeholders await further developments in this ongoing saga.