Judge rules USF followed policies in ex-dean's suit
By Times Staff Writer
Published August 26, 2004
TAMPA - A Hillsborough County circuit judge has decided in favor of the University of South Florida in a lawsuit brought by a former business school dean.
In the lawsuit, James Pappas said the university hindered him from performing his full duties as the Lykes Chair, an endowed faculty position devoted to developing ties between USF and the business community.
Pappas said in the suit that when the school offered him a contract in 1985, it was stated he would teach one advanced level course per school year, receive a $100,000 salary and get annual raises.
By 1994, after he became dean, Pappas was one of USF's highest paid employees, earning $161,200. In 1995, he resigned as business dean and returned to the Lykes Chair.
That's when the problems heightened, the lawsuit said. There have been disputes over raises, the lawsuit indicated, adding that Pappas "succumbed to intense pressure and taught two classes during the spring 2001 semester."
Circuit Judge Perry Little ruled in favor of USF, saying its policies and procedures governed Pappas' employment, that USF had the right to assign him a teaching load in accordance with established policies and that salary increases also were established by set policies.
