Story One:  “BC Files Defense Against Sex and Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit Made by Former Professor” By Lucy Freeman

BC Files Defense Against Sex and Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit Made by Former Professor

The first story I reviewed this week was on BC professor Hristina Nikolova’s lawsuit against BC’s Board of Trustee’s regarding gender and pregnancy discrimination. Nikolova raised a muiltitude of issues from breach of contract, retaliation, sex and pregnancy discrimination, parental leave, and family and medical leave. The answer from the Board was that none of the arguments Nikolova raised have standing for relief and that BC’s denial of tenure was based on legitimate non-discriminatory and non-retaliatory reasons.” Starting at BC in 2014 and on the tenure track, the tension between her accounts and the Board surrounding her excellent job performance and family life became and area of interest for both parties. A battle of who said what ensued with Nikolova claiming multiple gendered remarks were made about her pregancy during tenure reviews in which the university denies on all counts. Ultimately, a severed contract, no job, and a refusal for damages is what Nikolova is left with. The 1.7 million in damages Nikolova has brought to the university has thus been rejected. 

Story Two: “BC Law Professor Investigates Court-Mandated Programs Forcing Victims to Work With Their Abusers” By Annika Engelbrecht

BC Law Professor Investigates Court-Mandated Programs Forcing Victims to Work With Their Abusers

Another story from BC’s The Heights this week looks to the work of Claire Donohue, assistant clinical professor of Boston College Law School, regarding court-mandated parenting program therapy, which requires both victims and alleged abusers to complete the program. In examining these high-conflict cases that result in parenting classes, Donohue notes how there are vital misunderstandings surrounding family dynamics and says these sessions create “a rigid definition of what it means to be a good parent, and its assignments created an unsafe environment for anyone escaping an abusive relationship.” Above even the specifics, she and her colleagues also bring into question the effectiveness of court mandates, especially in family matters, and how beneficial being entangled in the court system is for prolonged periods of time when people, even with their best efforts, won’t comply to forced requirements that they feel are at odds with their values or children’s best interest. Donohue and Margie Palladino, BC Law Alum and co-founder of Mass Family Advocate Coalition (MFAC), also raise concerns on how these mandates affect nuanced and dangerous situations of domestic abuse where in efforts to remove themselves and their family from an abusive partner, victims are then forced to go through a highly confrontational and emotionally charged program with them.