The battle between the University and a professor in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication continues in court as the University objects to a court recommendation to clear former dean John Soloski of harassment charges.

In documents filed on Dec. 23, University President Michael Adams and the Board of Regents filed objections to clear Soloski of charges that he sexually harassed a coworker in 2005. Soloski resigned in June 2005 and now serves as a professor in the Grady College.

“Dr. Soloski is going to continue to fight this as long as the University continues to not accept responsibility for what they have done,” said Brandon Hornsby, attorney for Soloski, in a telephone interview Tuesday morning. “It’s very sad that UGA is turning its head when there is real sexual harassment taking place on campus and targeting Soloski when there is no credibility to his situation.”

In a statement by attorneys for Adams and the BOR, a continued finding of the court’s recommendation would put the University in “an untenable situation as it relates to implementing its [Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment] policy in an effective way and meeting the purpose of the policy.”

“A contrary holding by the Magistrate Judge frustrates the very purpose of the policy on the UGA campus and [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] guidance regarding the discharge of employer’s duty of preventive care, and constrains Defendant from implementing sufficient disciplinary measures to prevent harassment before it happens,” the documents state.

The University’s NDAH policy defines sexual harassment as the “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”

Soloski’s attorneys also filed an objection, according to the brief, writing that the magistrate judge “committed error” on four of the counts the court ruled in favor of Adams and the BOR.

The recommendation to clear Soloski’s name was made by a U.S. District Court on Nov. 26 and both parties were granted extensions to file objections by Dec. 23.

A complaint was filed against Soloski in May 2005 by Janet Jones Kendall, now a School of Social Work employee. The complaint alleged Soloski had commented on a dress that showed off her “assets,” according to the documents.

The University and the Board of Regents denied Soloski’s appeals of the sexual harassment charges.

“Adams’ denial of Soloski’s appeal was based largely on his reliance on the deficient legal opinion of his counsel, the Office of Legal Affairs, and the judgment of his Provost,” the documents state.

“There is no clearly established authority that he cannot rely on his subordinates … to make a legal determination,” according to a Red & Black article on Dec. 2.

Soloski then sued Adams and the Board of Regents in 2006 and the legal battle has been ongoing.

“This has been a long fight for Dr. Soloski,” Hornsby said. “This case has always been about reclaiming his name.”