LAF cases
Freyd v. University of Oregon
Professor Jennifer J. Freyd, a respected senior faculty member in the University of Oregon’s Psychology Department, is paid significantly less than many of her male colleagues of equal rank as a result of “retention raises,” or salary increases given in the face of a competing offer. In this case, Professor Freyd has taken action against the University, contending that the University’s practice of granting such raises without equalizing salaries of other faculty of comparable merit has a disparate impact on women and violates the Equal Pay Act, Title VII, Title IX and Oregon’s sex discrimination law. Read more »
Jane Doe v. The University of Kentucky
To ensure access to education for women and girls, AAUW advocates for the full protections of Title IX. AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund supports this case to reform the sexual assault hearing process on campuses. Currently, alleged assailants have multiple opportunities to re-victimize survivors through the hearings process, under the guise of due process. Read more »
Jane Doe, et al v. Howard University
Jane Doe, et al v. Howard University is a case involving six current and former Howard University female students (Jane Does) who reported sexual assaults in 2014, 2015, and 2016. They allege that these assaults were committed by male employees and students at the university. Read more »
Spencer v. Virginia State University: A Case on Gender Equity in Academia
As the Gender Equity Task Force chair at Virginia State University (VSU), Zoe Spencer, Ph.D., was charged with identifying deficits in gender equity, but when she did she was met with resistance. Read more »
Portz v. St. Cloud State University
Portz v. St. Cloud State University et al. is a case involving 10 female student athletes who filed a lawsuit against St. Cloud State University (SCSU) and Minnesota State College and University Systems. Read more »
Robb v. Lock Haven
Adopted 2017
The eight student athletes AAUW supports in this case through the Legal Advocacy Fund legal case support program allege that Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania failed to comply with Title IX mandates on participation by gender. These students further claim they have experienced roster manipulation, a method some schools use to appear Title IX compliant when in fact they are in violation of the law. Read more »
Doe v. Lasch, Cooper, Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California*: A Sexual Harassment Case
The plaintiff in Doe v. Lasch, Cooper, Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, alleges that she experienced sexual harassment by her employer and was terminated after she reported the behavior. Read more »
Kurz et al. v. Trustees of Indiana University et al.
Kurz et al. v. Trustees of Indiana University et al. brings attention not only to the sexual harassment of students by university staff, but also to the serious retaliation those students may face if they speak out. Read more »
Yovino v. Rizo
Rizo v. Fresno County Office of Education highlights a significant underlying factor that contributes to the wage gap: employers’ practice of relying on an employee’s prior salary history to set new salary levels. AAUW is proud to support the case through our Legal Advocacy Fund. Read more »
Burhans V. Yale: A New Wave in Title IX Cases
Burhans v. Yale highlights the necessity of protecting administrators who are willing to address the problem of sexual assault on their campuses from professional retaliation. AAUW is proud to support the case through our Legal Advocacy Fund. Read more »
