University Of Evansville Fires Theater Professor Accused Of Harassment

The University of Evansville has fired a theater professor who was accused of racial and sexual harassment by a former student.

In a statement, the university said theatre professor Scott Lank was fired last week after an investigation into complaints made against him.

UE said that as a tenured professor, Lank can choose to appeal the university’s decision.

A former student filed a lawsuit against Lank in August accusing him of multiple instances of racial and sexual harassment. The lawsuit also accused the university and two administrators of failing to respond adequately to those accusations.

In court documents, Lank and the university have denied any wrongdoing.

The university said it is working with the Institutional Response Group at Cozen O'Connor, a Philadelphia-based law firm, to prevent “further occurrences of unacceptable behavior by any member of our university community.”