Professors sue 'U' for denial of tenure

The University has maintained a strong commitment to diversity despite two lawsuits that target affirmative action in the admissions policies of the College of Literature, Science and Arts and the Law School.

But two less-publicized lawsuits claim the University may not be practicing what it preaches.

Business Assistant Prof. Ojelanki Ngwenyama and film and video studies assistant Prof. N. Frank Ukadike both filed lawsuits against the University alleging they were denied tenure because they are black.

Ukadike filed the most recent lawsuit on March 18 against the University, English Prof. Gaylyn Studlar and Sharon Patton, director of the Center for Afro-American and African Studies.

Studlar declined to comment, and Patton was unavailable for comment yesterday.

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Film and video studies and Center of Afroamerican and African Studies Assistant Prof. N. Frank Ukadike is suing the University because he was denied tenure.

Ukadike is suing the University for more than $25,000 in damages.

"If I was at the right place and probably the right color I'd have been granted tenure," Ukadike said.

The University's policy of granting tenure involves full professors evaluating a faculty member's proficiency in teaching, research and service.

Ukadike said he has shown his abilities in those areas and is "well-published and well-known all over the world."

Some of Ukadike's credentials include publishing a book, and eleven single-authored journal articles, and being quoted in newspapers.

He also states that he has been recommended for tenure by other experts in the field and even submitted a 10-page recommendation written by a colleague. Ukadike said the recommendation is extremely positive.

Ukadike said he was one of many minority professors hired by former University President James Duderstadt under the Michigan Mandate - Duderstadt's initiative to create a more diverse campus.

"As I look around campus, I have found myself wondering where all the black faculty have gone - those who were recruited the same time as myself," Ukadike said.

Ukadike's 10-year stay at Michigan will end April 30 when his contract expires.

"It's not a matter of wanting to stay. I'm being forced out," Ukadike said.

He plans to move on to Tulane University for a tenure-track position.

Associate Vice President for University Relations Lisa Baker said to the lawsuit is "completely without merit.

"We are confident in the promotion of the tenure review process," Baker said. "The University does not consider race when making tenure decisions."

Ngwenyama filed his lawsuit July 16, 1998 against the University, specifically naming Business Dean B. Joseph White and Business Prof. Michael Gordon.

"For the seven years that I was a member of the faculty I observed a sophisticated multi-year approach used to force black faculty members out of the school," Ngwenyama wrote on a Web page he set up to publicize the lawsuit.

To support his claim, Ngwenyama notes that in the School of Business Administration, only one black faculty member has achieved tenure and only one other has been hired with tenure.

04-14-98