Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 12-25-15 Edition

Feature
Former Registrar Files Lawsuit Against USF
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A former employee has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the University of South Florida. Ms. Angela DeBose was employed as the Registrar.
Ms. DeBose filed the law- suit in federal court alleging discrimination and retalia- tion. She also said members of the organization conspired “together in a scheme to de- fame, discredit, and termi- nate” her.
In the lawsuit, Ms. De- Bose named several employ- ees as well as the Board of Trustees and the software company. Those mentioned in the lawsuit included Provost Ralph Wilcox.
Ms. DeBose alleges that Wilcox cause a subsequent offer for a job to be with- drawn.
In 1988, Ms. DeBose was hired by the university as a Computer Programmer/Analyst. For the next 8 years, she received promotions and progressed in her role. In 1996, she was given a written employment contract to serve as the Uni-
versity’s Registrar.
For several years, she
continued her employment and received exemplary per- formance evaluations. How- ever, she said, problems began at the end of 2013 and continued until she was told she was terminated in May 2015.
In the lawsuit, she alleges that the University subjected her to “an invidious scheme to terminate” her. She said the problems continued and included a series of disagree- ments with USF officials.
Ms. DeBose further al- leges in the lawsuit that she was subjected to, “continu- ous and unwarranted criti- cism” of her. Her race was made an issue and her “work environment was permeated with by threatening behav- ior, isolation, bullying, and repeated degrading epi- thets.”
She also said in the law- suit that false and derogatory remarks were made about her that resulted in questions about her professionalism, leadership abilities, and competency.
Ms. DeBose also said she was given an oral agree-
MS. ANGELA DEBOSE
... Worked at USF for 27 years
and a federal district court after being subjected to heightened discrimination and retaliation.
“With both actions active, USF separated me and sub- sequently terminated me from my employment. The treatment I received is not isolated to me, but an ongo- ing pattern against African American administrators that has left little diversity at higher levels of the organiza- tion. This lawsuit does not come about from playing a “race card,” or being an alarmist.
“The personal and profes- sional harm that I have expe- rienced is damaging and lasting,” she said.
When contacted by the
Sentinel, Adam Free- man, University of South Florida Media/Public Affairs Manager said, “As the Uni- versity was just served with Ms. DeBose’s lawsuit, USF has not yet had an opportu- nity to file a response with the court.
“As a matter of practice, the University does not in- tend to comment on this on- going litigation other than to state that the claims are without merit.”
ment that her employment contract would be extended through 2019. However, the extension never transpired.
She has also filed an ethics complaint and filed a discrimination complaint with the USF Office of Diver- sity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity.
When contacted by the
Sentinel, Ms. DeBose
said, “The way I exited USF was not deserved or antici- pated. When I complained of the discrimination, I ex- pected support, understand- ing, and a fair internal process of investigation.
“My reputation and 27 years of exemplary service in various positions should have mattered. Ultimately, I filed complaints with EEOC
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A