Workers to return to Dental School

Nearly three years after being fired from their jobs and four months after winning a discrimination suit against the University, three black former Dental School employees got their jobs back on Friday.

Theresa Atkins, Delano Isabell and Dawn Mitchell, all former instrument processors at the Dental School sued the University and Linda Vachon-DeMarco, a Dental School supervisor, for discrimination in their 1994 dismissal.

"I guess you could say they didn't lynch them at the nearest tree, but they did everything else," said prosecuting attorney George Washington.

Washtenaw County District Court Judge Donald Sheldon ruled in favor of the prosecution's requests stating that the 'Dental School Three' be reinstated, that the discipline remarks be admonished from their records and that they receive back pay from the the time of the jury's February verdict until the time of reinstatement.

"We won by the jury then and this is what we were looking for," Atkins said. "It's a relief."

Isabell, however, said the discrimination the three workers originally faced before their termination will not cease upon their return to the Dental School.

"The University of Michigan still, to this day, has not given us an apology," Isabell said. "I think there is going to be more harassments and it's going to be more retaliation of the University's part."

Vice President for University Relations Lisa Baker said the University has not swayed from its initial stance.

"The University stands by its earlier position that their dismissal was justified," Baker said.

Isabell said that although he doesn't know "what they have in store for (him)," he would like work with the Dental School administration to enact necessary changes.

"I would like to work with them and change some things that are going on over there at the Dental School," he said, adding that changes have to be initiated to all parts of the University, including the University Board of Regents.

Isabell, who tried to commit suicide, said he will apply for medical leave from the Dental School.

"I'm trying to get myself back together," he said.

Mitchell said that although she too must still file for medical leave with the University for a back injury sustained on the job, Friday's ruling was a triumph.

"This is a great victory," Mitchell said. "I feel like recitation has been made."

Baker said the University was originally against the three employees' transfer back to the Dental School, but changed their view after DeMarco left.

"After the trial, there continued to be pickets demanding that the supervisor be terminated and there was public labeling of her as a racist and calls for her firing, even though she was cleared of any wrongdoing by the jury," Baker said. "She has since resigned and the basis of our opposition was gone."

All three workers were transferred to positions in other University areas after their Dental School employment was terminated.

Washington said Atkins will resume work on Monday at the Dental School, but Isabell and Mitchell will apply for medical leave.

Washington said the University's discrimination was so evident that even a conservative jury agreed.

"Basically, the jury could see what the top administration at the University had ignored and tried to cover up for two years," Washington said.

The jury ruled that Vachon-DeMarco be exonerated, but they found the University guilty.

The prosecution plans to file a suit in the Washtenaw Circuit Court system to receive reimbursement for the plaintiffs' attorney's costs.

06-11-97