Webster U Sued for Discrimination

Webster University Associate Professor Tracey McCarthy sued the university in St. Louis County on Aug. 19 asking for in excess of $25,000 in damages on each of four counts of employment discrimination.

According to court documents, McCarthy alleges that over the last three years the university has discriminated against her because she is an African-American, a female, and also because she suffers from a cardiopulmonary lung disorder.

McCarthy, a full-time faculty member in the legal studies department, also alleges that after filing complaints internally with the university, Webster has retaliated by requiring her to participate in a post-tenure review, excluding her from professional development and excluding her from faculty meetings.

McCarthy also alleges that between October 2008 and November 2009 she was one of two tenured African-American faculty members of approximately 180 faculty world-wide and that other white professors were not subjected to a post tenure review.

On Nov. 18, 2009 McCarthy alleges she was directed by the university to refrain from all non-instructional duties including committee work and other faculty governance involvement.

McCarthy further alleges in the court documents that David Wilson, dean of arts and sciences, kissed her at a professional social gathering.

McCarthy is being represented by Donnell Smith of Smith & Associates who declined comment citing pending litigation.

This marks the second employment discrimination lawsuit filed against Webster this year.

Former Webster University CFO David Garafola, who lives near Manchester, filed suit against the university in January alleging he was forced to step down.

Webster’s motion to dismiss Garafola’s case was rejected by St. Louis County Judge Tom De Priest and a settlement hearing in the case has been scheduled for Oct. 13.