Associate Professor of Neuroscience David Holtzman agreed to resign late last week, ending months of federal court proceedings and internal College processes.
In an agreement worked out between Holtzman's lawyer, Kirk Perry, and College attorney Michael Frantz, Holtzman dropped all the charges he filed against the College, federal and internal. The College also dropped its charges against Holtzman.
Holtzman said, "It's agreed I'm going to leave as part of the agreement ... Basically the College dropped its charges and I agreed to drop mine."
The settlement states that Holtzman will receive the rest of his salary and benefits through August, the date when he officially severs ties with the College. As part of the agreement it was also decided which neuroscience equipment belongs to Holtzman, and which belongs to the College.
Because Holtzman is a federal grant recipient, the College has to make sure it complies with federal laws governing grant money, Frantz said. "Whenever someone on a grant leaves the College, for whatever reason, it has got to be accountable for equipment," Frantz said.
Holtzman received nothing else as part of the agreement.
"My family and I are very happy about the settlement," Holtzman said.
Those who have been involved with the Holtzman situation from the beginning are also pleased that an agreement has finally been reached.
"It is a good and appropriate resolution, and I'm pleased we were able to do it," President Nancy Dye said.
"I feel relieved for everyone's sake that it's all over," said Neuroscience Program Director Catherine McCormick.
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Clayton Koppes said, "It has been a very unfortunate thing to have to go through a process like this and I think the outcome demonstrates that the institution agreed to address this seriously, and that it has processes that do work."
Professor of Biology Richard Levin, Holtzman's adviser, said, "It's over. It feels very good that it's over ... I feel pleased David won't be pilloried anymore."
He added, "I also think this has been an educational process for people at the College and, as for David Holtzman, he is clearly a talented scientist. With the equipment he has an opportunity to continue his research and try to move that in a productive direction."
On April 21 Holtzman's second request for a temporary restraining order from the College, filed on April 15, was denied. The agreement was worked out shortly after the request was denied. If granted, the restraining order would have prevented internal College processes from moving forward.
Within the College, Holtzman filed misconduct charges against McCormick, Koppes and former acting dean of the College James Helm with the Professional Conduct Review Committee (PCRC). Koppes also filed charges of misconduct against Holtzman with the PCRC.
In September Holtzman filed a $1 million discrimination lawsuit against the College with the U.S. District Court in Cleveland, alleging he was denied equal treatment as an Oberlin College employee because he is Hispanic-American. He also filed a temporary restraining order that was denied. If granted, a temporary restraining order would have allowed Holtzman to teach classes without interference from the College.
Hearings on Holtzman's request for a preliminary injunction concluded in February, though Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr.'s decision was still pending until the lawyers worked out the agreement and claims were dropped. A preliminary injunction would have enabled Holtzman to resume teaching duties.
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