Legal Question in Employment Law in Illinois

Re: Larry Kurtulus vs. Argosy University, EEOC Charge Number 846-2009-36676

I am a P/T College instructor, currently teaching in Chicago. I taught average of 2 courses per term from spring 2006 to August 2009 at Argosy University, Schaumburg Campus. I was paid bi-weekly as a regular employer.

August 2008: After 2.5 years of employment at the Argosy, and after consulting with the Dean and being encouraged by her, I started the Doctor of Business Administration program with a good faith. The Tuition Aid was promised with a stipulation that I continue teaching at least one course per term at the Argosy. Prior to starting the program, I checked with the Human Resources Department (H.R.) as to whether I was actually qualified for the Tuition Aid program or not, I was not however Dean promised that I would be reimburse and the Dean, the V.P. of Academics Affairs and the President did all signed the Tuition Aid forms and I received the Tuition Aid, totaling $9.900.00 While continue teaching at the Argosy, I took courses toward my DBA, and completed 45% of the program with a 3.95 GPA. see attached.

End of Spring II, 2009 term: The Tuition Aid was abruptly taken away from me. I was denied the opportunity to participate in this program. This was the result of a policy changes I been told, instructors were then categorized as the part time faculty and the adjunct faculty. Since there were no guidelines for this employment category or clearly established rules, Dean�s explanation was, �When you were first hired, you hired as such. (H.R. made the mistake).� Under this policy some DBA candidates were allowed to receive benefits and some were not. In my opinion, this is unfair practice and raised questions for me about the integrity of the school and the implementation of their policies. I started investigation, my findings were that the categorization done deliberately and systematically to achieve their goals, and to minimize benefits. In my opinion, the reasons for my denial were my age, 63, and my national origin, Turkish.

After denial of Tuition Aid, I was asked to apply for a student loan, which I did. At the time, I was paying half of the tuition myself and incurring a huge debt by financing the entire education with student loan was not an option at my age. Unfortunately this situation forced me to drop out of the program.

In my opinion, Corporate Headquarters� administration officers were not consistent in employment categorization and thus, manipulated benefits as they wished. As you can see, these are discrimination, favoritism, breach of contract and unethical conduct which are all intertwined.

August 2009, Summer II Term: My teaching assignment with Argosy ended. I repeatedly inquired about teaching assignments, but none were offered. The Dean didn't even return my e-mails, see attached. The courses I taught were then assigned to the other instructors.

The courses scheduled and assigned by the Dean; she could have easily assigned me one Math. course instead of assigning three Math. courses to Mr. Siegeltuch. I taught these courses number of times and I had very good faculty course evaluations, It is clear that her decision was based on retaliatory factors and/or me qualifying again for the Tuition Aid.

I am 64 years old, born October 8, 1946 in Turkey and I am in a unique situation. Career advancement was not my motivation when I began the DBA program. I want to gain more credentials by completing this program and have the personal satisfaction of accomplishment. It is my last chance in life to pursue this goal of a Doctoral degree and I am determined to do so.

After denial of the Tuition Aid, I dropped out of the program. Despite my official withdrawal, the administration kept me in the system as an active student As a result I was labeled as "unprofessional and rude". Over the last 3 years at Argosy University, I spent countless hours lecturing, engaging my students and interacting with my colleagues on a professional level without any complaints. I was respected and loved by my students, "Rude", is a label that doesn�t make any sense and is, hearsay not a fact.

Finally, my wish is to complete the program and earn my DBA, with Tuition aid from Argosy as was originally promised. If they cannot grant my wish and partially pay for it, then I expect a refund of the monies I have invested. In all fairness, they could have grandfathered me in and kept their promises. I am not considering a lawsuit against Argosy for any damages. If I cannot complete this program, I want a refund.

Do I have a case? Should I take them to court? That is my question, thank you.

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