ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — A former professor at Northern State University is suing the school, among others, claiming a dean retaliated against him when she denied his request for paternity leave.

Thomas Orr says he requested time off under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, but that education dean Kelly Duncan denied the request because Orr is a man and can’t give birth.

The Argus Leader says Orr claims in his lawsuit that Duncan retaliated against him because he filed a complaint when Duncan went into his locked office without his permission to retrieve a binder that she loaned him.

The lawsuit says Northern State violated federal laws by discriminating against Orr because of his sex, denying family leave and violating his civil rights.