The judge overseeing the proposed $14 million settlement between Dartmouth College and nine plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit has some concerns about the agreement.
The Valley News reports that at a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Judge Landya McCafferty expressed worries that legal precedent could prevent her from approving the settlement class, and that the group was potentially too broad.
As part of the settlement, current and former female graduate students who worked with three professors between April 1, 2012, and Aug. 31, 2017, are eligible for $1,000 and potentially other supplemental payments.
The class also includes graduate students in the department of Psychological and Brain Sciences between March, 31, 2015 and Aug. 31, 2017.
Nine women sued the college last fall, claiming the college did not protect them or others from the alleged sexual harassment by three professors in the psychology department.
Attorneys will have 14 days to file formal arguments to address the judge's questions. Then, Judge McCafferty will decide whether to give the settlement her preliminary approval.
