Law Prof Suffers PTSD From Student Harassment

A former visiting law professor at Appalachian School of Law says she was harassed by a student there, and in a law suit claims that the school’s investigation into the matter was “completely, and inexcusably, mismanaged.” Hillary Lynne Burgess says the school violated Title IX, and retaliated against her by making her do extra work and ignoring her concerns. The school’s mistreatment of the claims led Burgess to have debilitating anxiety and panic attacks, leading to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, the suit claims. Burgess said the student became aggressive and disruptive in class beginning in September 2015. He talked over her and made defiant comments, and once, after being asked to leave, the student told other students, “No woman will ever tell me when I can and can’t talk,” and “I’ll ruin her,” according to the lawsuit. Burgess became fearful when the student mentioned that he had guns. In April 2016, the school agreed to put security outside Burgess’ classroom, but did not follow through. The student allegedly groped other classmates, drugged and raped a staff member and bullied another student so aggressively that the other student committed suicide. When the school finally opened a Title IX investigation, the suit says it “was a farce from start to finish.”