Diversity Office Staffer Allegedly Demoted for Being ‘White’ Sues University
A Wisconsin university official is suing her school after allegedly being demoted from a diversity-related position for being white.
In a federal lawsuit filed earlier this month, Rochelle Hoffman alleged that the University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire sidelined her because of her race, according to the New York Post.
Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents, UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Jim Schmidt and Assistant Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Teresa O’Halloran were included as defendants in the case, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.
Criticism from some faculty over the “optics” of the situation created a hostile work environment, the suit alleged, according to the WPR report.
Hoffman was allegedly made to resign her position as interim director of the school’s Multicultural Student Services office last year.