CCSN settles suit with professor

Friday, July 2, 2004 | 9:11 a.m.

Community College of Southern Nevada officials bought out a professor's contract in November after she alleged employee discrimination by top administrators.

The college paid Cynthia Glickman, a tenured mathematics professor, $33,000 to settle the complaint and another $58,617 to buy out her contract, according to the settlement agreement obtained by the Sun. The agreement didn't detail Glickman's complaint.

In the settlement, Glickman was given the choice of the flat fee or a teaching appointment for the 2004 school year that would have paid $47,664 plus full benefits. Glickman chose the flat fee, CCSN spokeswoman Helen Clougherty said.

"It was a contract issue, and the college was concerned about contract liability," Clougherty said. "Neither side admitted liability, and it was amicably resolved on both sides."

Glickman had served as interim associate dean for information technology before leaving the college, Clougherty said. Glickman was unavailable for comment, but her current Web site identifies her as "The PhD Realtor" for Coldwell Banker Premier Realty.

Glickman and CCSN Cheyenne campus Provost Thomas Brown signed the settlement agreement Nov. 19, 2003, right in the midst of the infamous Nov. 17 and Nov. 20 closed personnel sessions that led to CCSN President Ron Remington's demotion. Board of Regents Chairman Stavros Anthony said regents did not discuss the Glickman settlement.

According to board policy, only lawsuits that are settled for more than $50,000 must gain board approval.

Neither Brown nor Remington was available for comment.

Regent Steve Sisolak said Glickman's lawsuit was one of many facing the University and Community College System of Nevada institution, according to a lawsuit list he saw in November. The complaints range from wrongful determination and discrimination suits to an individual who sued the system after he ripped his pants at a football stadium, Sisolak said.

In the Glickman case, Sisolak said he remembered Glickman felt that someone had received a promotion she deserved.