GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Calvin University's former president is suing the school, alleging breach of contract and defamation.
In late February, Calvin University released a statement saying President Dr. Wiebe Boer had resigned. The statement came after claims that he sent inappropriate texts to a non-student member of the campus community.
The school said in the statement that Dr. Boer's alleged comments were not sexual but instead were "unwelcome and inappropriate."
READ MORE: President of Calvin University resigns after report alleges ‘inappropriate’ comments
Boer's attorneys, in a 35-page lawsuit filed Friday in federal court, argue there is more to the story.
ECF 1 - Complaint by WXMI on Scribd
The lawsuit shows Boer was notified of accusations against him on Thursday, February 22.
Boer disagreed, reportedly telling trustees he didn't believe his actions were inappropriate.
His attorneys claim this situation was over-dramatized and either a misunderstanding or the board was misled.
FOX 17 hasn't seen the texts referenced by the university.
On February 24, Boer was reportedly told the board had enough votes to fire him.
The court documents explain that if Boer resigned, he could influence the public statement the board intended to release.
Boer resigned early that evening, but claims he had no say in the statement put out on Monday, February 26.
Boer's wife, Joanna, who was also a Calvin employee, was also terminated.
She is alleging a violation of the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Calvin University sent FOX 17 a statement following this lawsuit filing.
Ultimately, Dr. Boer’s employment at Calvin was governed by an employment agreement that gives the Board the authority to determine his fitness to remain in the role. The Board recently conducted a careful and thorough review that resulted in a unanimous Board affirmation of the process of information-gathering and deliberation that led to Dr. Boer’s resignation.
The Board remains confident that Dr. Boer’s decision to resign, and the Board’s decision to accept his resignation, are in the best interests of all involved. We continue to lament the concern, confusion, and frustration this abrupt transition has caused for some in our community, and are disappointed by the numerous misrepresentations in the Boers’ legal complaint that will create additional confusion. We look forward to correcting the record through the appropriate legal processes.
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