Penn State University is facing a lawsuit from a former professor alleging discrimination and violation of free speech rights.
Zack De Piero, a former professor at Penn State’s Abington campus, recently filed a lawsuit against the university claiming that he was subjected to racial intimidation, insults, and criticism for criticizing the school’s “race-based dogma and discrimination.”
The lawsuit, filed by the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, said that De Piero was told to “penalize” the scores of certain students because of their race and was asked to excuse poor academic performance from black and Hispanic students as a result of “social justice” and “antiracism.”
De Piero was also allegedly asked by university officials to watch training videos with titles like “White Teachers Are a Problem” that claimed white people are complicit in white supremacy and that he should attend “antiracist” workshops “until you get it.”
The suit also claims that after the death of George Floyd, there was an increase in racial activism at the school that included remarks by the university’s former Assistant Vice President for Education Equity Alina Wong, who reportedly suggested that looting was “just getting what you’re due.”
De Piero claims that after questioning Wong’s comments, he was hit with a “bullying complaint.”
Leigh Ann O’Neill, FAIR’s legal advocacy managing director, said De Piero’s case is a prime example of the “institutional intolerance” seen in many universities today.
“The institutional intolerance that has become so prevalent in the academic space is extremely concerning to us and, you know, we want to champion someone like Zack, who has taken the brave and courageous step to stand up for his rights,” O’Neill said.
Penn State released a statement reiterating their “active and ongoing commitment to diversity and equity” and said they are “determined to create an inclusive and respectful environment in which to live, work, and study.”
De Piero resigned from his position at Penn State in August 2022 and is now a professor at Northampton Community College. He is seeking unspecified damages and legal costs in his lawsuit.