Spring Break
State rejects former dean's discrimination complaint
Kevin Hoffman
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: News
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A discrimination complaint against the university filed by former Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences Howard Ross was dismissed last week by the State Department of Workforce Development Equal Rights Division (DWD).
The department rejected the complaint, stating there was "no probable cause to believe the university violated the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law." Ross was demoted in April 2006 after an audit accused him of questionable purchases.
"There is no reason to believe that Ross' race or color were factors in the audit," DWD's report said. "He alleged that he was harassed but provided nothing to support that claim."
Ross said his next step is to meet with his attorney and decide whether or not to appeal the decision or ask for the Equal Opportunity Commission to review the complaint.
"I remain convinced this was a case of discrimination," Ross said. "Like my lawyer said, I don't owe the university a dime, and I won't stop until justice is served."
The former dean was demoted to a faculty position after an internal audit questioned more than $300,000 in purchases on a university issued credit card and travel expenditures.
The audit alleged improper purchases of office furniture, gifts, and other transactions.
Ross was requested to reimburse the university $113,610 until April 2007 when he was informed the total had risen to $117,155.90. University officials said in May the $4,000 increase was due to an accidental oversight in the first total.
Ross said fluctuations in what the university is asking him to return raises a red flag.
"Look at the audit today and you'll find items eliminated," he said. "They continue to change and it's because the audit was bogus to begin with. The question is why did UW-Whitewater, namely [Interim Chancellor] Dick Telfer, continue to change the amount as well as the items."
Some of the items removed include gasoline and alcohol purchases, Ross said.
"This is not true," Sara Kuhl, director of University Marketing and Media Relations said. "There have not been changes since the letter went out in April. The university gave Dr. Ross the opportunity to provide proper documentation."
Kuhl added she was unsure that Ross, a tenured faculty member, would be risking his job by refusing to pay the full amount back to the university.
"I don't know they can link the two," she said, "but Dr. Ross does owe the university money and the necessary steps will be taken."
No other university officials would comment.
The department rejected the complaint, stating there was "no probable cause to believe the university violated the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law." Ross was demoted in April 2006 after an audit accused him of questionable purchases.
"There is no reason to believe that Ross' race or color were factors in the audit," DWD's report said. "He alleged that he was harassed but provided nothing to support that claim."
Ross said his next step is to meet with his attorney and decide whether or not to appeal the decision or ask for the Equal Opportunity Commission to review the complaint.
"I remain convinced this was a case of discrimination," Ross said. "Like my lawyer said, I don't owe the university a dime, and I won't stop until justice is served."
The former dean was demoted to a faculty position after an internal audit questioned more than $300,000 in purchases on a university issued credit card and travel expenditures.
The audit alleged improper purchases of office furniture, gifts, and other transactions.
Ross was requested to reimburse the university $113,610 until April 2007 when he was informed the total had risen to $117,155.90. University officials said in May the $4,000 increase was due to an accidental oversight in the first total.
Ross said fluctuations in what the university is asking him to return raises a red flag.
"Look at the audit today and you'll find items eliminated," he said. "They continue to change and it's because the audit was bogus to begin with. The question is why did UW-Whitewater, namely [Interim Chancellor] Dick Telfer, continue to change the amount as well as the items."
Some of the items removed include gasoline and alcohol purchases, Ross said.
"This is not true," Sara Kuhl, director of University Marketing and Media Relations said. "There have not been changes since the letter went out in April. The university gave Dr. Ross the opportunity to provide proper documentation."
Kuhl added she was unsure that Ross, a tenured faculty member, would be risking his job by refusing to pay the full amount back to the university.
"I don't know they can link the two," she said, "but Dr. Ross does owe the university money and the necessary steps will be taken."
No other university officials would comment.
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