Lawsuits allege rapes by college administrator

LA GRANDE, Ore. – An Eastern Oregon University professor and student are seeking more than $100 million each in lawsuits alleging they were raped by a university administrator. The attorney for the administrator denies the charges made by the female plaintiffs.

The women are suing Robert Davis, 41, director of undergraduate studies. The university and the State Board of Higher Education are also named in the suits.

The complaints say Davis raped the two women on successive nights while at an education conference in Atlanta in February.

One plaintiff said she did not file a criminal complaint in Georgia. It was not clear if the other did.

Both say Davis forced himself on them after they’d fallen unconscious, possibly after being drugged. Both said they woke up during the attack and were unable to fight back.

The university has put Davis on paid administrative leave during the investigation. Officials said the school could not discuss the case further.

Davis was promoted to the newly created position of director of undergraduate studies last year after serving as an English professor since 1994.

Philip Wasley, attorney for Davis, said the charges are untrue.

One suit seeks $100.8 million in damages, the other $107.5 million. The suits allege sex discrimination, sexual harassment, intentional infliction of severe emotional distress; hostile work environment, unlawful employment practices, negligent retention, training and supervision, negligence, and battery.