CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The resignation of the vice president for Student Affairs at APSU came following a complaint that he sexually harassed an employee under his supervision.

Eric M. Norman, one of the top officials at Austin Peay State University, received five months of pay in return for his immediate resignation, according to his separation agreement, obtained by Clarksville Now from the university in response to a public records request.

The resignation came three weeks after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against Norman, according to the complaint, also obtained as part of the request.

Sexual harassment complaint

The complainant, whose identity is not being released, said Norman engaged in “inappropriate touching,” touching the complainant’s waist and “touching after blatantly asking for him to stop, telling me he is just a touchy, geeky person and it is what it is.”

Witnesses are listed, but their names were redacted in the provided complaint.

The complainant documented several instances of unwanted favoritism, including that Norman “built me a new office when I jokingly asked for a new office with a window,” and gave the complainant a raise when denying raises to other staff who were equally or more deserving.

The unwanted attention and favoritism strained work relationships, the complainant said. When the complainant asked Norman to stop making comments, he “told me over the phone on December 10 that dealing with comments about my attractiveness and age from co-workers was just something I had to deal with.”

The complainant said Norman offered to come to the complainant’s home many times to “help out even when I have told him I am uninterested.”

He also offered to pay part of the complainant’s rent or mortgage in exchange for garage storage space, the complaint said.

The complaint formally requests “supportive measures” such as a no-contact directive or reassignment to another office.

Clarksville Now has reached out to Norman for a response.

Separation agreement

The complaint was filed March 8, and Norman was placed on administrative leave with pay on March 25.

Norman, who started in January 2019 at an annual salary of $163,000, signed the separation agreement on April 1. His severance pay, based on five months of wages, adds up to $69,954.

Under the agreement, both APSU and Norman agree not to pursue legal action and to dismiss any claims against one another. It further states that nothing in the agreement should be considered an admission of guilt by either party.

Bill Persinger, APSU spokesperson, told Clarksville Now that the university is unable to comment on Norman’s resignation.