Templeton to testify, details explained

(1 p.m. Wednesday)

Day two of the Randy Bachmeier vs. Montana State University-Northern hearing began 8:30 a.m. this morning with the cross examination of Bachmeier.

Bachmeier said Tuesday during his examination that the $100,000 he wanted for emotional damages created by former Provost Rosalyn Templeton, for whom the sexual harassment complaint was filed against, was based on his yearly salary plus benefits.

He spoke about the number again this morning, stating his salary is $75,019.

He also said it was difficult to come up with a number to quantify the damages for not being able to advance at MSU-Northern after filing the complaint, but he felt $50,000 was appropriate. His experience with search committees assured him that he would be “blacklisted” from any promotion or lateral move within the institution. He was also certain that he was blacklisted from applying to the provost position when Templeton was put on administrative leave until her resignation came into effect.

“When you’re an administrator, you don’t complain,” Bachmeier said.

Vivian Hamill, the attorney representing MSU-Northern, asked Bachmeier why he did not go to anyone or file a complaint against the ex-provost earlier for touching him repeatedly.

He was also asked why he did not ask Templeton to stop calling him “Mr. Randy,” which he alleges was said with sexual double entendre.

“It was a very bad idea to cross Dr. Templeton,” Bachmeier said.

Bachmeier said he never tried to speak to MSU-Northern Chancellor James Limbaugh about the issue because he felt like he could not do it without fear of retaliation.

Bachmeier finished his testimony shortly after the hearing was closed to discuss private personnel issues and Bachmeier’s medical history.

The hearing will start back up around 2 p.m., and the first witness to testify when they reconvene is Templeton.

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