Ex-faculty files suit with PSU

Former Portland State Vice Provost of Student Affairs Douglas Samuels filed a lawsuit against PSU late last week, on claims that he was the target of racial discrimination.

The suit, which Samuels filed in U.S. District Court late last Thursday, said he was “subjected to different terms and conditions of employment” than other senior white employees. In his claim, Samuels also said PSU offered an “unwelcoming and discriminatory environment” for African-American faculty.

Samuels was the vice-provost of student affairs from 2001 to 2005, and was terminated 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.

Samuels is seeking $500,000 in damages from PSU for economic and emotional reasons, according to his claim. He is also seeking compensation for lost wages, compensation for court costs and to be restored to his former position as vice-provost of student affairs.

University officials had no comment on the matter as of press time. The Vanguard was unable to reach Samuels for comment by press time.

Samuels was paid $8,334 per month (about $100,000 a year) in the 2005 fiscal year as the vice provost of student affairs, according to Portland State financial reports. He was paid the same salary when he was hired in the black studies department, according to the reports, before he left the department and the university at the end of January 2006.

Samuels’ complaint states that the associate professor position was a lower paying position. When he started the vice provost position in 2001, he was paid $7,917 a month.

Samuels’ complaint also says that he was subjected to investigations “not done with similarly situated senior white employees.” It says that his race played a substantial part in his termination.

After Samuels resigned from his spot as associate professor, he accepted 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.

Following Samuels’ resignation, he took a lower-paying position teaching in Metropolitan State’s African and African-American studies department.

Tonantzin Oseguera, former director of PSU’s Student Activities and Leadership Programs and former co-worker of Samuels in the office of student affairs, said she never experienced any problems with discrimination while she was working at Portland State.

“As a Latina, I felt I was always treated fairly and equitably,” said Oseguera. “I didn’t have any of those experiences.”

Since his claim was filed, PSU has not issued an official statement. Chip Lazenby, Oregon Department of Justice legal counsel for PSU, said the case would be going to the department soon.