Feds Say WSU Discriminated Officials Say University Mistreated Female Employees, Then Retaliated When They Complained

Federal officials have concluded Washington State University discriminated against five women and then retaliated against them when they complained.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Department of Labor’s affirmative action arm, decided a sixth woman did not have enough evidence to prove discrimination. A complaint from a seventh woman appears to be unresolved.

The class-action complaint involves allegations dating back to 1990 and ranging from unwelcome comments and inappropriate touching to derogatory remarks and hostility. The university and several of the men involved deny the allegations.

The ruling clears the way for the women to file civil rights lawsuits against the university in federal court.

The women, who filed the class-action complaint more than a year ago, said they felt only partially vindicated by the ruling.

“It’s just a step in the process,” said Leslie Liddle-Stamper, head of the WSU employees union and a librarian. She said she was reassigned and stripped of certain duties after complaining of a hostile, derisive boss.

“I just hope they face up and fix things for other people that come in,” said Michelle Auslam, a former radio and television technician who said a fellow employee asked her sexually suggestive questions. “It’s time for this thing to stop. Stop hiding it. Fix it.”

The women plan to meet later this month with Spokane attorney Bevan Maxey to discuss legal action, said Liddle-Stamper.

Two of the women, Susan Lien and Colleen Fowles, filed $300,000 tort claims against the university last month.

Fowles’ complaint was upheld. Lien said the contracts office determined there wasn’t enough evidence to proceed with her complaint. Fowles’ claim was filed just before Constance Moorehead, district director of the federal contracts office, notified most of the women that the university discriminated against them, said Liddle-Stamper.

Suzanne Nance, a former research technician later brought into the complaint, said she had not been notified of any findings before she left for vacation late last month.

The Spokesman-Review obtained one of Moorehead’s letters earlier this week.

Because WSU gets federal money and contracts, the contract compliance office can give damages to the discrimination victims and forge conciliation agreements where WSU pledges to change its policies and practices.

The agency also can bar WSU from getting federal money, but such cases are rare.

In this case, the office secured settlement offers from WSU of more than $10,000 to Fowles, a former graphic designer in technical services, and $4,000 to Nance, according to documents obtained by The Spokesman-Review. The two women refused them.

Moorehead said in the letter she will pursue a conciliation agreement with the university, which she said has agreed to a training program for all employees on sexual harassment, intimidation and a hostile work environment.

The university also has agreed to hold meetings twice a year in which employees can address sexual harassment issues with a WSU manager and a neutral party.

, DataTimes