
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 12, 1994                   TAG: 9401120153
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

$1.2 MILLION TECH SUIT CHARGES HARASSMENT

A former Virginia Tech worker, claiming sexual and religious harassment, has filed $1.2 million suit against the university and John Engstrom, who was removed as the school's culinary services director in 1992.

Sher Anne Owens, in a suit filed in federal court in Roanoke, alleges that the university condoned "a hostile working environment" in 1992 when she held a temporary job with culinary services.

In addition, Owens says the university refused to give her a permanent job because she filed complaints with Tech's Equal Employment Office and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Richmond.

Owens, who worked as associate director of culinary services from January to October 1992, said she was subjected to "intimidating and offensive actions" shortly after joining the staff.

On June 10, 1992, the suit claims, Engstrom told Owens she managed workers "like a New York Jew" and that she didn't "fit" in Southwest Virginia.

"Well, you especially know how Jews are. They always want things for free," the food services director allegedly said the next day.

Owens says Engstrom also commented on her hair, clothes and personal appearance and did not do the same to male employees.

Engstrom, reached at his Blacksburg home, would not comment. Dave Nutter, a spokesman for Tech, also declined to discuss the case, because the defendants had not seen the suit.

In the summer of 1992, Owens filed a complaint with Tech's Equal Employment Office; in retaliation, the suit says, the university withheld mail and portions of her salary.

In January 1993, Owens learned she had not been hired permanently as associate director of culinary services.

Owens' attorney, Deborah Dobbins of Pulaski, said her client is now unemployed.

Engstrom was removed as head of culinary services in December 1992 after allegations of poor management and improprieties regarding overtime pay were leveled against the department.

An internal audit uncovered evidence that the department violated federal, state and university policies. During the investigation, Tech paid a total of $45,000 in back pay to four employees, including Owens.

by CNB