Former Augustana University music professors sue over age, sex discrimination

Two former Augustana University music professors, Lisa Grevlos and Paul Nesheim, are suing AU, alleging a breach of contract, retaliation and both age- and sex-based discrimination.

In their lawsuit, filed Friday, they allege AU School of Music Dean Peter Folliard and associate music professor Russell Svenningsen headed a smear campaign against the two while stripping them of their titles and job duties, and ultimately terminating them, according to the lawsuit.

Svenningsen, along with associate professor Brian Hanegan and conductor Christopher Unger, who are also named in the lawsuit, did not return voicemails left by the Argus Leader on Tuesday. Folliard returned a call to the Argus Leader but explained he couldn't comment on the lawsuit, its status or who will represent the university as attorneys on this case.

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AU spokesperson Jill Wilson said Tuesday that the university doesn’t comment on ongoing litigation other than through its public filings with the court.

Grevlos and Nesheim are seeking recourse for the loss of their positions, damages to their reputation, emotional distress and violations of their civil rights, according to the lawsuit. They are demanding an award of damages of $75,000 or more and demanding a trial by jury.

They have not responded to Facebook messages from the Argus Leader over the last two months, or voicemails left by the Argus Leader on Tuesday. They are both still listed on the AU website under choral and vocal music.

What to know about the lawsuit

Grevlos, 58, has 30 years of teaching experience at AU alone, including 17 years as a tenured faculty member, according to the lawsuit. Over the years she served as director of vocal studies, a full professor, director of the Angelus Choir, director of the AU summer music camp and chair of the music department and School of Music.

When Grevlos was fired, she was the most senior full-time faculty member in the School of Music and the only tenured female full-time faculty member in the School of Music since 2006.

Nesheim, 62, was hired by AU as a professor and fifth conductor of the choir in 2012, was granted tenure and was promoted to full professor in 2015, and was appointed director of choral activities in 2017, according to the lawsuit.

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The lawsuit alleges Folliard began the process to remove Grevlos and Nesheim from their titles, positions and teaching loads after Grevlos filed a Title IX complaint against him and Svenningsen alleging discrimination and retaliation, with Nesheim as her witness.

Allegations of sex discrimination in the lawsuit arise from comments Folliard and Svenningsen made that she was "too emotional" and therefore deliberately excluded her from discussions, according to the lawsuit.

Age discrimination allegations in the lawsuit include that Folliard commented to Nesheim that the annual Christmas Vespers concert, which Nesheim was artistic director of, was "tiring," and that Svenningsen called it "old-fashioned," according to the lawsuit.

Grevlos was removed as department chair, director of vocal studies and director of the AU summer music camp, losing a portion of her salary as a result of her demotion. In a Nov. 2021 meeting, Grevlos was threatened by AU Provost Colin Irvine with dismissal if she continued her “pattern of discontent,” the lawsuit alleges.

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Both Grevlos and Nesheim filed complaints with the U.S. Office for Civil Rights after that meeting regarding their continued treatment by Folliard and Svenningsen, the lawsuit alleges.

According to the lawsuit, Folliard removed Nesheim as a conductor of the Augustana Choir and replaced him with Svenningsen in February 2022, and also removed Grevlos as conductor of the Angelus Choir and gave Nesheim that position.

The lawsuit alleges that AU President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin issued a dismissal for cause letter firing Nesheim Feb. 27, the same date the EEOC notified AU of Grevlos’ and Nesheim’s requests for notices of right to sue.

Sandlin also issued a dismissal for cause letter firing Grevlos on March 3. Both Grevlos’ and Nesheim’s terminations were effective as of May 24.

After Grevlos and Nesheim were issued the letters, Wilson told the Argus Leader in a statement March 9 that “in order to protect university employees, Augustana is committed to upholding the confidential management of personnel matters,” Wilson said. “Therefore, we cannot comment nor disclose information related to such matters.

A further grievance was filed by Grevlos and Nesheim with the Faculty Grievance Committee (FGC), but the FGC issued its findings in support of the dismissals for cause for the two professors on May 10, the lawsuit states.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Augustana University facing lawsuit from Lisa Grevlos, Paul Nesheim