SIU professor alleges sex discrimination

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A Southern Illinois University assistant political science professor in Carbondale is accusing the university of sex discrimination, claiming she was wrongly passed over for tenure that ultimately went to three men.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinois reports that Laura Hatcher filed the suit against the university’s board of trustees and the Carbondale school’s chancellor, Rita Cheng.

Hatcher alleges that administrators gave tenure to three men last year and not her even though she had more experience, better credentials and faculty support.

Hatcher says that after appealing the rejection, the school’s Judicial Review Board unanimously decided in her favor before Cheng overturned the decision.

Rod Sievers, an SIU spokesman, declined to comment Thursday, saying the university doesn’t publicly discuss personnel matters.