Salt Lake Community College Faces Discrimination Lawsuits

SALT LAKE CITY

Salt Lake Community College is facing a federal lawsuit from several employees who claim the school has discriminated against them.

The suits claim the college has created a hostile work environment for minorities and that White employees enjoy preferential treatment.

An SLCC spokesman, Joy Tlou, said the college could not comment because it has not been served with the suit and he had not seen the allegations.

He did say, "As an institution, the college does not condone, endorse or tolerate discriminatory behavior of any kind."

The plaintiffs include: Elias Silva McGraw, a naturalized U.S. citizen and campus police officer, who says he was passed over for special assignments and promotions; Don Rivera, a telephone technician, who contends that his supervisor made disparaging remarks about his faith; Jenny Archuleta, an employment specialist, who says she was harassed with reprimands and remarks about her body after she complained to officials about discrimination; Jesse Bowman, who says he was subjected to racial slurs and offensive comments, including remarks about "drunken Indians."

Named as defendants are SLCC, state Assistant Attorneys General Reed Stringham III and Constance Hughes, and Randy Johnson. The suits seek unspecified damages.

About 20 staff members and students have filed discrimination complaints in the past year with the college, the Utah Labor Division or the U.S. Department of Labor.

— Associated Press