Purdue is facing legal action over alleged discrimination. Former IPFW chancellor Michael Wartell says he was forced to retire at the age of 65 according to university policy.
However, he claims his request for a waiver was denied because former Purdue President France Cordova wanted to hire a woman to replace him. Vicky Carwein was hired as IPFW chancellor last summer. She was 64 years old at the time.
Wartell also says the university breached an agreement when handling the internal grievance process. He says an independent, third party lawyer appointed to oversee his complaint was actually working as a university attorney.
His lawsuit seeks the cost of legal fees and unspecified damages.
The Purdue Board of Trustees is meeting at IPFW this week and is holding an executive session to discuss pending litigation, although the meeting notice does not specify what that legal action is. The university is not commenting on Wartell’s lawsuit.
