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Feb 2002

Sues Howard University

Files Suit0 Comments

Dolezal sues Howard University, alleging that the university denied her a teaching assistant job, further employment, and a scholarship because she is white. The lawsuit also claims that Professor Smith, chair of the Art Department, specifically kept Dolezal from serving as a teaching assistant one semester and removed some of her artwork from a student exhibition, instead favoring the work of African-American students. Suit:

[Howard University is]  permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult.

14 Jun, 2005

Loses Howard University appeal

Judgement0 Comments

Dolezal loses her appeal against Howard University. The judges confirm the original trial’s decision.

To defeat summary judgment on her discrimination claims, Moore was required to present a prima facie case “that (1) she belongs to a protected class (2) she is qualified for the employment position at issue (3) she was the subject of an adverse employment decision and (4) race was a substantial factor in the adverse action. As we now explain, Moore failed to make the requisite showing of either the third or fourth element in respect to all of her claims.

The court says her Art Professor did not hear that she wanted the position until after he had allotted the teaching assistant jobs. This meant that race was not a factor in the employment decision. She also did not make a case showing she experienced an adverse employment action in being denied the assistantship for one semester. While she did not work the fourth semester, she was actually paid for four semesters. She presented no evidence that any prospective employer chose not to hire her because she taught three rather than four semesters. On the removal of her artworks from a 2001 exhibition, allegedly in favor of those of African-American students, the court ruled that the claim is barred by a one year statute of limitations, and that she offered no proof of a hostile work environment.