Black Counselor at SDSU Speaks Out Against Employment Discrimination

By Brent Schrotenboer
STAFF WRITER (from the San Diego Union Tribune)

October 27, 2006

An African-American counselor in a San Diego State University department that promotes diversity and opportunity has sued his supervisor, who is also African-American, alleging racial discrimination after he was denied a promotion.

Charles C. Neal, a counselor in SDSU's Office of Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) and Ethnic Affairs, alleges that the office's interim director, Reggie Blaylock, “hand-picked a selection (hiring) committee where at least two of the members had negative racial prejudices against African-Americans.”

Neal, whose complaint says he holds master's degrees in black psychology, philosophy and counseling, applied for the position of associate director of the office in August 2005. A white candidate, Jay Anderson, was hired instead, but has since left the position. Neal also names as defendants the Cal State University system, SDSU and Bill Boyd, who oversees the educational opportunity program as associate vice president of student affairs. Blaylock, a former Aztec football player and athletic department official, and Boyd did not return phone messages yesterday seeking comment.

Neal's suit, filed this week in San Diego Superior Court, seeks unspecified damages for loss of wages and mental suffering.

The suit alleges that Blaylock instructed the hiring committee not to hire from within the department and that the person hired was “pre-selected” before any interviews were held.

After Neal filed a complaint earlier this year with SDSU's Office of Diversity and Equity, he says he suffered unlawful retaliation from his supervisors, including verbal abuse, “unjustified letters of reprimand” and restrictions on his duties and work hours, according to the suit.

SDSU's Office of Diversity and Equity investigated the complaint and found no discrimination occurred, said Neal's attorney, Doc Anthony Anderson III. A discrimination charge then was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in May.

Neal has been employed by SDSU since 1981. He didn't return a call seeking comment.