UMass-Dartmouth Loses Discrimination Case

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has been ordered to pay more than $350,000 in damages and lost wages combined to an English professor who said she was denied promotion because of her race and gender.

The Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, in an unprecedented move, also ordered that associate professor LuLu Sun be promoted to full professor.

The university was also assessed a $10,000 penalty for its "egregious conduct," while some top administrators, including Chancellor Jean MacCormack, were ordered to attend eight hours of training in employment anti-discrimination law.

Sun said she was denied promotion in 2004 and 2005 despite a stellar resume and glowing recommendations. She alleged she was held to higher standards because of her gender and Taiwanese ancestry.

A UMass-Dartmouth spokesman says the school is reviewing the decision.