CAMDEN, NJ — A longtime Rowan University professor who claims she was demoted and later pushed out as she neared retirement will be allowed to pursue key parts of her discrimination lawsuit, though a federal judge dismissed other claims.
In a mixed ruling, U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel granted in part and denied in part Rowan University’s motion to dismiss, allowing Rachel Pruchno’s case to move forward on select allegations tied to age discrimination and retaliation.
Career Shift Sparked Legal Fight
Pruchno, a tenured professor who joined Rowan in 2004, built a career that included more than $6 million in grant funding and over 150 published academic articles, according to court filings.
As she approached retirement, she proposed a succession plan in 2019 aimed at preserving long-term research funding by training a replacement. University leadership declined to fund the proposal.
Years later, in June 2023, Pruchno says she was called into a meeting and told her leadership role would be eliminated, her title downgraded, and her salary cut by more than 30%, with changes taking effect within days.
Dispute Over Reasons for Demotion
University officials cited reduced grant activity as the reason for the decision. Pruchno argues that explanation is misleading, saying her role had shifted after Rowan declined to support succession planning.
She contends the actions were tied to her age and that the university later attempted to resolve the dispute by offering to restore her salary temporarily if she agreed to waive age-related claims—an offer she refused.
Retaliation Claims Add to Case
After filing internal complaints and formal grievances with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, Pruchno alleges the situation worsened.
Her lawsuit claims the university retaliated by:
- Moving her office to a windowless storage space
- Removing furniture and resources
- Requiring in-person participation in proceedings despite her relocation
- Assigning her to teach a course she says she was not qualified to handle
Following her refusal to teach that course, the university initiated disciplinary action, accusing her of job abandonment.
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Key Points
• Federal judge allows parts of Rowan professor’s age discrimination lawsuit to proceed
• Plaintiff alleges demotion, pay cut, and retaliation near retirement
• Some claims dismissed, but core allegations remain active in court
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Court Finds Some Claims Insufficient
Judge Kiel ruled that while certain allegations lacked a sufficient legal connection to harm and were dismissed, others met the threshold to proceed. The decision allows the case to move into discovery, where both sides can gather evidence.
The ruling does not determine whether discrimination or retaliation occurred, only that some claims are plausible enough to continue.
Current Status
The lawsuit remains active in federal court, with Pruchno pursuing surviving claims against Rowan University and associated officials. Further proceedings will determine whether the case advances to trial or is resolved through other means.
