Auburn University is facing a lawsuit after two former doctoral students and three faculty members in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) alleged they faced sexual discrimination and a hostile work environment, which prevented them from conducting their research. The lawsuit raises retaliation claims under both Title IX and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The lawsuit centers on events surrounding the university's federally funded Inventory and Conservation Planning Project (ICP2), a research project that examines the effects of habitat management on Alabama's wildlife during 2024. According to the complaint, doctoral students Kaitlin Connelly and Marlene 'Mars' Walters worked as graduate research assistants on the project when they began to experience what they characterize as a workplace culture that was both hostile and discriminatory.
Jonathon Valente, assistant professor and ICP2 project manager, is being sued by Connelly and Walters in his individual capacity under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. They allege his actions violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which requires government officials to provide equal treatment under the law and prohibit unlawful discrimination.
According to the lawsuit, Connelly and Walters found their experiences on ICP2 "disconcerting," describing the predominantly male research team as having a "frat house" atmosphere. The complaints allege "male participants in the program engaged in sexual banter about women they either knew or were dating, and Valente sometimes joined in the ribald humor, making jokes about sexual activity and male genitals."
Valente allegedly allowed the "frat" environment to thrive and contributed to it by favoring male colleagues while belittling or diminishing Connelly's and Walters' work and devaluing their contributions.
Connelly, who is a lesbian, and Walters, who identifies as a non-binary, transgender individual, assert that they were treated differently than their male colleagues. Both doctoral students experienced examples of Valente "cutting them off in mid sentence during group discussions and ridiculing specific ideas they offered," while maintaining a much friendlier approach with male members of the project.
Walters also alleged that Valente showed little interest in providing the mentorship expected of a faculty advisor.
"Walters also noticed that Valente seemed uncomfortable in their presence and uninterested in the collaboration and mentorship that Auburn expects of an academic advisory relationship," according to the lawsuit. "Instead, from Walters’ perspective, Valente related their relationship to an employer/employee dynamic."
The lawsuit alleges Valente told Walters their participation in the project had been a "waste of time" after Walters asked for the ability to pursue academic work outside of ICP2. According to the lawsuit, "Walters was jarred by the interaction and fell into a state of depression and anxiety that required counseling and treatment from Auburn’s mental health services unit and a psychiatrist." After this, Walters ultimately decided to leave Auburn University in May 2024.
Connelly remained at Auburn University and filed a series of internal complaints through the university's Equal Opportunity Compliance Office and Title IX investigative office, alleging discrimination and retaliation.
Faculty members Robert Gitzen and Christopher Lepcyzk were involved in the ICP2 project, and they, along with Connelly's advisor, Jean Fantle-Lepczyk, submitted complaints raising concerns about the treatment of the doctoral students in fall 2024.
"Fantle-Lepczyk developed her own perspective that Valente’s leadership was toxic; she observed some of the mistreatment of her own advisee, Connelly, and was unsettled by another episode where she saw Valente raise his voice at a female research assistant," the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit alleges that Auburn University retaliated against those who spoke out.
Lepczyk and Gitzen were allegedly removed from their leadership roles on the ICP2 project after filing complaints. Connelly was also directed to leave the project in late 2024, a decision that she said ultimately forced her to abandon her pursuit of a Ph.D. Fantle-Lepczyk experienced the loss of research opportunities that have derailed her path to a tenure-track faculty position, alleging that she was passed over for a tenure-track appointment in fall 2025 in favor of a candidate with less extensive qualifications.
Lepczyk, who recently completed his time as the dean of the university's Honors College in summer 2024, has allegedly been "stymied" for the last two years. He states that he has been passed over for promotions, in which he was better qualified, and warned by senior officials that his complaints regarding discrimination were "jeopardizing his professional standing," according to the lawsuit.
Gitzen was also removed from a separate research project under what the lawsuit describes as "unvarnished grounds," with the complaint adding that he was considered "too controversial" after raising concerns about ICP2. The lawsuit claims that his removal from research opportunities has harmed his ability to secure funding and meet the publication requirements needed to advance to a full professor status, a position that he had once been on track to achieve.
The lawsuit brings retaliation claims under both Title IX and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination at educational institutions receiving federal funding and protects individuals from retaliation for reporting sex discrimination. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin and, likewise, protects employees from retaliation.
In early September 2024, Gitzen met with Auburn University's Title IX office to report that Justin Hall, a research associate and co-project manager on ICP2, was engaging in a prohibited romantic relationship with a graduate student. Additionally, the student allegedly walked around nude during overnight trips on several occasions. The lawsuit alleges that Valente was aware of this relationship, observing the couple and allowing them to stay in hotels together apart from the rest of the research team. Gitzen and Lepczyk also alerted the CFWE's human resources office of the violation.
Later that month, Lepczyk and Gitzen met with Valente to address his behavior and his failure to address Hall's alleged misconduct. Valente then allegedly responded harshly to Lepczyk and Gitzen, telling his colleagues that they were interfering with his leadership and would be removed from the project. Following those events, Lepczyk and Gitzen met with a member of Auburn University's legal team to report what they believed were instances of sexual misconduct and gender discrimination within the ICP2 project and retaliation by Valente after he removed Lepczyk and Gitzen from their roles.
Gitzen was told in early May 2025 by officials in his department that he was to be removed from his role as principal co-investigator on a collaboration between the department and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADNCR).
"The grounds [for removal] given to him were explicit — Gitzen's involvement in filing complaints about ICP2," the lawsuit said.
10 days before the complaint was filed, Gitzen also learned that Auburn University planned to move forward with a research project with the ADNCR, which was built on an idea he developed. Gitzen is not involved in the project, and the lawsuit alleges that the reason remains the same: his involvement in the complaints of gender discrimination within ICP2.
Lepczyk believes his career should have positioned him for further advancements in higher education; instead, the lawsuit alleges his advancement was hindered. On May 29, 2025, Lepczyk was told by the then-associate dean of Academic Affairs at CFWE, Todd Steury, and two senior academics at the college, Mark Smith and Steven Ditchkoff, that his role in ICP2 was "running the risk of injuring his professional stature."
In December 2025, Lepczyk applied for associate dean of research. During the interview process, members of the search committee and faculty questioned Lepczyk on how effective he would be "in light of the controversies over ICP2," according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs are represented by Artur Davis and Jerilyn Gardner from HKM Employment Attorneys LLP.
The Auburn Plainsman reached out to Jennifer Adams, vice president for public affairs, communication and marketing, for a statement regarding the lawsuit, as well as any comment on past cases suing them for alleged Equal Employment Opportunity Commission violations.
Adams said the university will not comment on pending litigation.
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Amanda Machamer, senior in journalism, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Spring 2025. Machamer previously served as a News Writer, Assistant News Editor and Assistant Content Editor. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief.
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Sydney Gallardo, junior in journalism, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2025. Gallardo previously served as a News Writer, News Reporter and Assistant News Editor. He is currently serving as the Newsletter Editor.
