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Wis. Court Upholds Verdict Against Fired Professor

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin appeals court has ruled against a chemistry professor who was let go from the Milwaukee School of Engineering because of his limited English skills.

MSOE hired Ezelagu Obasi as a part-time teacher in 2010, despite concerns that he had some problems communicating in English. During the third week of classes the department head received emailed complaints from a number of Obasi's students.

The school terminated Obasi's contract and he sued, alleging his contract was breached. A jury concluded the termination was justified, in part because the school's policies didn't offer part-time professors the same protections that full-time teachers get.

Obasi appealed the ruling. However, an appeals court on Tuesday affirmed the jury's verdict.

Obasi declined to comment to The Associated Press.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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