University of Wyoming sued over Nichols demotion documents

Several media outlets have filed a lawsuit against the University of Wyoming and its board of trustees over public records relating to the demotion of former UW President Laurie Nichols.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in Albany County District Court in Laramie. It contends the university unlawfully withheld documents requested by the Casper Star-Tribune following the board’s decision to demote Nichols to a faculty position in March.

No reason was given for the decision, and board members and legal counsel have refused to answer questions on the matter, citing personnel and privacy concerns.

The Star-Tribune reports it’s been joined in the lawsuit by news website WyoFile and Adams Publishing Group, which owns the Laramie Boomerang and the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle.

The university did not immediately have a response to the lawsuit.