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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 6, 1995                   TAG: 9504060070
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

W&M SUED OVER HANDLING OF COMPLAINT

A part-time American studies instructor and doctoral student at the College of William and Mary has filed a lawsuit accusing the school of mishandling her sexual harassment complaint.

Karen Veselits alleged in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Newport News that the college's response to her complaint perpetuated a hostile environment and caused her ``emotional, psychological and economic damages.''

The tenured professor she accuses of sexual harassment has not been identified. The suit, filed March 16, seeks $2 million in damages.

Veselits contends that the professor made several sexual advances toward her in 1993 and, after she rejected him, punished her with a poor grade.

After she filed a formal complaint with the college's Sexual Harassment Committee, the suit contends, the college ``took no meaningful action.''

More than a year after the complaint was filed, the committee found ``prima facie evidence'' of harassment, the suit said. But as recently as February, the suit contends, a dean told Veselits the college has not decided what action to take against the professor.

by CNB