The Timeline of the James Peterson Investigation

◦ Two sexual assault complaints against James Peterson, a former professor in English and the former director of the Africana studies program, are fielded by a mandatory reporter

Source: Two professors and a former senior administrator in the College of Arts and Sciences

◦ Title IX Coordinator Karen Salvemini and George Nation, a professor in the finance department and the faculty co-investigator, open an investigation into the Feb. 2017 reports

◦ Lori Friedman, director of media relations, confirmed that the provost is aware of the investigation at the onset

Sources: Court document, letter from Salvemini to certain victims

◦ President John Simon posts a photo, which shows Peterson as a member of Simon's "faculty cabinet"

Source: Simon's Instagram

◦ Peterson is promoted to full professor following a year-long process

◦ The provost is part of the approval process

Source: Dawn Keetley, chair of the English department

◦ A sexual assault complaint is filed against Peterson*

*Lehigh Office of General Counsel confirms complaint is against Peterson in email sent to certain faculty members

Source: Office of Civil Rights Complaint

◦ Salvemini and Nation close the March investigation, based on different conclusions*

*Former CAS senior administrator and a professor confirm the differing conclusions as the reason for the investigation's conclusion

Sources: Court document, letter sent from Salvemini to certain victims

◦ LUPD opens an investigation into Peterson

Source: Court document

◦ An unnamed faculty member is suspended and placed on paid leave due to "sexual and other misconduct"* according to an email by the provost's office

◦ This was the first public announcement of an investigation

*Salvemini's letter to certain victims later confirmed university found evidence for "sexual assault" and "sexual exploitation"

Source: Email from Provost's Office

◦ LUPD concludes its investigation

◦ Salvemini and Nation "reopen" the March investigation

Source: Court document

◦ Salvemini and Nation conclude their investigation

◦ The report is given to the provost for review

Source: Letter sent from Salvemini to certain victims

◦ Lehigh announces Peterson's resignation

◦ The provost found "sufficient cause" to terminate Peterson's employment

◦ Lehigh claimed that Peterson resigned before the provost finished review

Sources: Letter sent from Salvemini to certain victims