Timothy Knowles, former vice provost of Minority Affairs, won a victory against the university with a recent decision by the 10th Appellate District Court of Appeals.
In a decision prepared by Judge Peggy Bryant, the court agreed with Knowles’ accusations that, in his original trial, the Ohio Court of Claims committed an error in their ruling on evidence and applied incorrect standards when assessing his claim of breach of contract.
OSU has the option of appealing to the Supreme Court or facing a second trial with the Court of Claims.
“It is my feeling at this time that the university knows that they are wrong,” Knowles said.
While Knowles is vocal about his claims, the university remains silent on the issue.
“It is university practice not to comment on the merits of pending litigation,” said Elizabeth Conlisk, university spokeswoman.
“The matter has merely been remanded due to a procedural problem and only for the purpose of adding limited testimony to the record and permitting the university to present its case, which has not happened yet,” she said.
Knowles was hired by the university on August 1, 1999 and was fired less than a year later, on July 31, 2000.
The original suit was filed on March 27, 2001 by Knowles for defamation and breach of contract. He originally signed a five-year contract with the university, which he said he believes should be fulfilled by OSU because he was terminated without just cause.
During the year of his employment, complaints by co-workers and others in the department led to an investigation by Larry Lewellen, associate vice president of human resources.
Knowles was given a 4-percent pay raise two weeks prior to his termination.
In the pending case, Knowles is asking to be returned to his former job or receive payment for the rest of his five-year contract and for all damages incurred. He is working as the director of retention at Central State University.
