A former diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) staffer at a US university has won a six-figure payout after suing her ex-employers for discrimination.
Rochelle Hoffman sued the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2023 after being told she was “too white” for her role.
A former diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) staffer at a US university has won a six-figure payout
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GETTYThe ex-DEI boss said she faced intense hostility, while students and staff questioning her “legitimacy” for the post as a white woman.
“You hired a white woman as the interim director?” one student said according to a federal complaint against the university.
According to the complaint, another student asked: “Do you personally feel white staff can do as effective a job as a person of colour, within a space for people of colour?”
Some students then escalated their fury to the university’s vice-chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and student affairs, Olga Diaz.
Ms Diaz was told Ms Hoffman was unfit to serve students of colour in her role.
DIVERSITY BACKLASH – LATEST:
Some students then escalated their fury to the university’s vice-chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and student affairs, Olga Diaz (pictured)
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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE
Now, the latter is set for a $265,000 (£195,000) payout after winning a discrimination case – though has vowed that “accessible” education is still “essential”.
She told Fox News: “For over a decade, I’ve worked as a teacher in both K-12 [from nursery to sixth form] and higher education, primarily serving first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.
“While at UW-Eau Claire, I was honored to be appointed by vice chancellor Diaz as a DEI programme director to expand data-informed academic interventions that improved retention and graduation rates among students of colour.”
“Despite facing unlawful discrimination in that DEI role as a white woman, I remain steadfast in my belief that high-quality, accessible education – grounded in data and responsive to a changing workforce – is essential for all learners.
“I believe deeply in leading and teaching with integrity and in choosing the harder right over the easier wrong. My commitment to student-centered learning and academic excellence remains as strong as ever.”
Her lawyer added: “We did not bring this case based on opposition to the university’s programmes.
“This suit was brought because UW-Eau Claire had taken actions that unlawfully discriminated against an employee who championed those programmes with substantial success.
“Such actions can undermine the credibility of the programmes the university seeks to promote.”
