University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Answers Discrimination Lawsuit

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has filed an answer to a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against a former employee.

The lawsuit alleges that former Interim Director of Multicultural Student Services Rochelle Hoffman was forced to resign from her position due to months of hostility and questioning from staff. Hoffman alleges in the complaint that faculty members expressed concern about her appointment to the role because she is white.

Hoffman was appointed to the position in January of 2022 by Vice Chancellor Olga Diaz. According to the lawsuit, Hoffman alleges the students, faculty, and staff opposed the appointment despite her “exceptional qualifications.”

The lawsuit also alleged that an anonymous complaint was filed against Hoffman with the Office of Affirmative Action in June of 2022 saying that her presence made the complainant feel uncomfortable and unable to speak openly.

Following that anonymous complaint, Hoffman alleges that the Affirmative Action Office told her she needed to move to a different department because it was a hostile work environment for her, despite her wish to stay with Multicultural Student Services. The lawsuit also claims that Hoffman was pulled off teaching a class just a couple of days before the start of the fall semester, which she believes was done in retaliation to her filing a complaint of race discrimination in July of 2022.

In their answer to the complaint, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire denied engaging in any harassing conduct, subjecting Hoffman to a hostile and abusive work environment, or taking any retaliatory actions against her.