A Johnson County judge will soon decide whether to dismiss the lawsuit that Phillip Jones, the former UI vice president for Student Services, filed against the UI, UI President Sally Mason, and the state Board of Regents.

The hearing on the UI’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit will be held Oct. 16.

Jones sued in June, alleging wrongful termination and defamation after Mason fired him following the controversy surrounding the university’s handling of an alleged sexual assault in Hillcrest.

Former UI General Counsel Marcus Mills was fired with Jones after both were named in the Stolar Report, which the regents ordered as an investigation into the school’s response to the alleged assault.

So far, UI officials have refused to comment on the lawsuit because it is pending litigation.

— by Regina Zilbermints