Kent Institute of Art and Design (Kiad) is pursuing one of its former academics for damages of at least £300,000 after he left to set up a rival architecture school at neighbouring Kent University.
In a move that could set a precedent in the highly mobile world of higher education, Kiad has issued a writ against Don Gray, head of the School of Architecture at Kent University. The writ cites allegations of conspiracy, trespass and breach of contract, and asks for damages of at least Pounds 300,000.
Professor Gray left as head of the Canterbury School of Architecture at Kiad in March to join Kent and set up an architecture school. The new school, which includes some of Kiad's former staff, will start accepting students from September.
Kiad, which also has a claim pending against Kent University, has made it clear that it will seek legal redress if mediation with the university fails.
Kiad alleges that Professor Gray misused the school's human and material resources to help Kent set up its school. It alleges that he compiled lists of addresses, telephone numbers, salaries and grades of staff at Canterbury during working hours and passed them on to David Melville, Kent's vice-chancellor.
It also accuses Professor Gray of arranging compulsory meetings with Canterbury staff to discuss a transfer to the new school.
The university said Professor Gray would "vigorously" defend allegations of misconduct.
Professor Gray handed in his notice on March 23 and was dismissed by Kiad two weeks later.
According to the university, Professor Gray's departure "triggered the resignation of 12 out of 14 members of its staff, who have accepted posts in the new school". It added that no staff had been pressured into moving across.
Students at Kiad were worried that when Professor Gray and a number of the staff left, they too would have to transfer to complete their courses.
One told The Architects' Journal , which first reported the story:
"Basically we're waiting to see what is going on next year in terms of staffing, funding and accreditation to the ARB [Architects Registration Board] and RIBA [the Royal Institute of British Architects]. The ball's in their court. It's now up to each student to decide what is best for them."
Kiad said that no students had formally sought to transfer across. New Kiad staff, including Oren Lieberman, who left Strathclyde University to replace Professor Gray, met students to reassure them about the direction of the school.