University Rejects Isaac's Plan To Settle Discrimination Suit

The University has, at least for the time being, turned down a proposal designed to resolve the six-year-old case of Ephraim Isaac, a former associate professor of Afro-American Studies who has charged the University with discriminating against him on the grounds of race and nationality in denying him tenure in 1975.

Isaac and his attorney, Theodore Landsmark, proposed the plan, the details of which have not been disclosed, in a meeting with University counsel last month, the first formal discussion Isaac had had with Harvard representatives since he filed his lawsuit in June, 1980.

Rejected

At that time, Daniel Steiner '54, general counsel to the University, agreed to consider the proposal, but Landsmark said yesterday he has received a letter from Steiner indicating that the University "doesn't seem to want to do (this) at this moment."

Steiner last night confirmed that he had sent Landsmark a letter, but refused further comment. Isaac, who is now dividing his time between Princeton University and Bard College, could not be reached for comment.

The November meeting and the University's subsequent decision to consider Isaac's proposal were the first indications that Harvard might prove willing to settle the case out of court.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) granted Isaac a "right-to-sue notice" in April 1980, indicating that a conciliation at the time appeared impossible. It later withdrew the decision for reconsideration, but has not yet ruled on the case.

When the administration turned down Isaac's tenure bid in 1975, the Faculty instructed the ad hoc committee responsible for recommending candidates for tenure to give preference to those who focused on the American rather than African side of the department.

Isaac--a Black Ethiopian "Africanist" who specializes in Ethiopian language, literature and church history--subsequently filed a complaint with the EEOC charging Harvard with discrimination and lodged a suit against Harvard in Federal District Court