Discrimination lawsuit may go to trial by 2009

The lawsuit filed by Douglas Samuels, the former PSU administrator who claims he was discriminatedagainst while working at the university, may go to trial by 2009, according to PSU’s legal counsel.

The defense and prosecution will now attempt to find information during the current discovery period, which may be used to make a decision on the case, said PSU legal counsel Chip Lazenby.

The racial discrimination lawsuit was filed last November by Samuels, who was the PSU vice provost for student affairs from 2001 to 2005.

Lazenby said a trial date may be set for the fall, but because of the lengthy legal process, Samuels’ case likely won’t make it to federal court before 2009.

Samuels is seeking $500,000 in damages from PSU for economic and emotional reasons and other compensation for lost wages and court cases, according to his claim. The claim also asks that he be restored to his position as vice provost for student affairs at PSU.

Samuels was fired from the PSU vice provost position on Oct. 8, 2005. He accepted a position as an associate professor in PSU’s Black Studies department later that month.

Soon after joining the Black Studies department, Samuels resigned, accepting a position as vice president of student services at the Metropolitan State College of Denver. He resigned from that position on Oct. 16, 2006, citing personal reasons.