The UI, state Board of Regents, and UI President Sally Mason have submitted their answer to a lawsuit filed by a former UI vice president for Student Services, according to court documents.

Phillip Jones accused the parties of wrongfully terminating him after an outside report criticized his handling of an on-campus alleged assault. Jones claimed the firing jeopardized his relationship with potential employers, injuring him financially.

The lawsuit stems from controversy surrounding an alleged sexual assault in Hillcrest on Oct. 14, 2007.

The defendants denied most of the original petition and, overall, have asked for the case to be dismissed or for judgment to be entered in their favor.

— by Sam Lane