Former Temple mathematics professor Martin Eisen, who filed a civil lawsuit against the University, has a trial date set for July, his lawyer, F. Michael Daily Jr. said.
Eisen, who worked at Temple for 31 years, was fired on Jan. 16. He was initially suspended from the University because students were complaining about his teaching style.
Daily said that Eisen is suing because his rights to freedom of speech, redress of grievances, due process and equal protection were violated.
Daily said that Temple fired Eisen for being incompetent, but Daily said that students’ complaints against Eisen centered around his Math 55 course. Daily claimed that Temple had two versions of Math 55. One version was more conceptual while the other was more traditional.
Eisen was brought before three University committees to answer students’ complaints against him. Eisen wanted to know where the complaints came from since he never heard them. Daily said that the first committee wanted Eisen to water down courses, but he wouldn’t compromise his integrity.
Temple claims that Eisen “would frequently degrade his students and referred to them as ‘ignorant and stupid’, refused to answer students’ questions, repeat explanations, or to otherwise provide instruction or assistance to students concerning subjects that [Eisen] believed the students should know.”
Susan Smith, an attorney for Temple, refused to comment on the case.
Temple University is answering Eisen’s suit by suing him for a breach of contract and his full salary in which “he was found to have failed to perform his duties and responsibilities.” If Temple wins the suit, Eisen stands to lose between $79,409 and $84,252 in salary.
Daily said that their last court appearance was five weeks ago and depositions have not been taken. He said that there is a trial date, but he couldn’t comment on the facts of the case because a jury has not yet been picked.
Alma Cosmeus can be reached at acosmeus@temple.edu
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