North Texas Guilty of Bias Against Black Professor

Black Issues in Higher Education, Feb 18, 1999

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The University of North Texas has discriminated against a Black professor by paying him less than his White colleagues for three years, a federal jury has found.

The federal court jury in Sherman awarded Francis Terrell $100,000 for mental anguish and $24,315 in lost wages. The 54-year-old tenured psychology professor cried into a handkerchief as the verdict was read and embraced his attorney, Kenneth Byford.

"I was blessed by a jury of White males and females who understood how racism can be manifested," Terrell told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Although I have never met them, they have my undying gratitude."

Terrell says he will continue to work at the university -- which is considering an appeal, according to Richard Rafes, the institution's vice chancellor and general counsel.

Terrell sued North Texas in 1997, contending he was being paid less than his White counterparts because of his race. His lawsuit alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discriminatory employment practices based on race, color, sex, or religion.