Save Pat Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2003

EEOC Finds “Reasonable Cause” to Believe ‘Oldest Women’s Studies Department in the Nation’ Discriminated Against Black Professor

SAN DIEGO, Calif. On September 23, 2003, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued findings against San Diego State University, stating there was “reasonable cause” to believe the university discriminated against assistant professor Pat Washington by denying her tenure and promotion and terminating her “on the basis of her race/sex combined and in retaliation for previous complaints.” The Commission advised San Diego State University to reinstate Washington with back pay and to grant her tenure and promotion to associate professor. If the university fails to respond adequately to the agency’s request, the case will be forwarded to the EEOC’s legal unit for action.

“This is a tremendous victory,” said Pat Washington Support Committee Chair Nicole Murray-Ramirez. “We have said all along that Dr. Washington’s tenure denial and termination were based on malice rather than merit. After a year-long investigation, it appears that EEOC concurs.” Local community activist Janice Jordan, a graduate of SDSU’s women’s studies program and a former student of Dr. Washington, stated, “This is good news for Dr. Washington and for other faculty experiencing discrimination at SDSU. The EEOC findings should send a clear message to the university that no department is above the law.”

San Diego State University’s termination of Washington, one of only 21 Blacks among the university’s 831 full-time faculty—and the only Black full-time faculty member hired in the 33-year history of SDSU’s women’s studies department—sparked controversy among academics and activists throughout the nation.

Washington won more teaching awards than any of her colleagues, despite being one of the newest members of the department, and she produced four times the number of scholarly articles required by women’s studies at the time she was hired. However, six months before Washington was required to submit her tenure portfolio, women’s studies significantly elevated its tenure requirements. This action came on the heels of Washington’s complaining of a racially hostile work environment in the department.

Washington was denied tenure and given a terminal year in May of 2002. She filed a discrimination and retaliation complaint with the EEOC in July of 2002.

Read the EEOC's Letter of Determination

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