Eric Dannenmaier, former College of Law dean, has been granted a contract with NIU despite recent allegations of sexual harassment, meaning officials are disgracefully spending money to fund the employment of a potential predator.

Dannenmaier resigned June 27 amid the allegations after being placed on voluntary administrative leave in February following Title IX complaints of improper conduct in the workplace. However, he was granted a $94,000 contract for a maximum of six months working on a project in the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships.

The two complaints launched internal Affirmative Action investigations, which found “it is more likely than not that Dannenmaier sexually harassed [the alleged victims] by using comments and language of a sexual nature in the workplace,” according to confidential memoranda sent from Sarah Adamski, associate director of Investigations, Affirmative Action and Equity Compliance, April 15 to the individuals who made the complaints.

If an internal investigation finds it highly likely an administrator sexually harassed numerous employees, it seems to me it should be considered not only a liability, but also a complete shame to allow that individual to continue his employment with the university.

It was great to see officials pounced so quickly on the investigation, but this responsible course of action has been completely overshadowed by Dannenmaier’s continued employment.

Though Dannenmaier’s contract restricts his on-campus duties, there is still a risk his alleged actions may persist during his sparse visits to campus — this is a risk administrators shouldn’t be willing to take.

Aside from the looming threat of continued harassment of faculty, staff and students, the price tag on Dannenmaier’s position with the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships is outrageous not only because it is money spent on an accused perpetrator of harassment, but also because of the reduced state appropriations received for Fiscal Year 2018.

Officials offered Dannenmaier the position to avoid “the possibility of a protracted and expensive internal hearing process,” Spokesperson Lisa Miner said in an email.

Though such a process could be costly, I would rather see official’s battling an alleged predator on the university’s dime than paying nearly $100,000 in the form of a salary that only benefits Dannenmaier.