Colleges and universities want to create supportive academic environments that allow their students and employees to flourish. To do so, they are supposed to make every effort to offer these populations resources and support systems, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and train their staff accordingly. Despite this goal, it is not uncommon for institutions to fail to follow through. Instead of supporting their employees and students who fall into protected classes, they end up discriminating against them anyway. 

If you are a student at, or an employee of, a university or college and you believe you are being subjected to discrimination of any kind, it is incredibly important that you reach out to the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team immediately. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have spent years helping university and college students, faculty, and staff get the retribution they seek. Call our offices at 888-535-3686 today or reach out online. 

Holding Universities Accountable for Discrimination 

Most Americans agree that universities and colleges owe it to their students and employees to protect them from discrimination. Discrimination occurs when one party is treated unfairly because of a perceived trait. For instance, individuals can be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, parent status, disability, age, race, national origin, religion, pregnancy, or sexual identity. 

When universities or colleges discriminate against their students or employees, they need to be held accountable. In 2022, Carol Parker, a provost at New Mexico State University, sued the university for discrimination and retaliation. She was prevented from doing a study on pay disparities among gender and race at the school.  

A few days after reporting the actions for discrimination based on her gender, she was placed on administrative leave. Then, she was fired the day before her interview with the university's Office of Institutional Equity. NMSU stated that Parker was placed on leave because the faculty senate gave her a vote of “no confidence,” however, the male university president was also given the same vote of “no confidence” and was not placed on leave. 

Parker's lawsuit accused the university of discrimination, retaliation, and violating the New Mexico Whistleblower Protection Act. NMSU settled with Parker for just under $500,000.  

How the Lento Law Firm Can Help 

Being on the receiving end of a discrimination act is both uncomfortable and disheartening. But it becomes even more disappointing when the perpetrator is your university or college. Discrimination is against the law. If you believe your school has discriminated against you, you must do everything you can to hold them accountable for their actions.  

The best way to hold your school accountable is to work with an experienced attorney. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have helped hundreds of individuals nationwide whose lives are negatively impacted by their schools. Call our offices today at 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation online.