Professor charges Prairie View A&M with sex, disability discrimination

A Waller County professor has sued her university, alleging discrimination during her tenure.

Dr. Alice M. Pendleton of Hempstead filed a lawsuit March 20 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Prairie View A&M University, alleging violation of her civil rights and disability discrimination.

According to the complaint, Pendleton, who had hip and shoulder replacements following a stroke in 1983 which left her with permanent physical limitations, was an employee of Prairie View starting in 2009, working as an adjunct professor in the mechanical engineering department.

The suit states her employer repeatedly refused to provide reasonable accommodations for her disability, specifically: reducing her assignments and work hours; limiting access to a teaching assistant for maneuvering equipment; denying her requests to use a golf cart to get around campus; obtain handicapped parking privileges; and receive salary increases and/or promotions.

Pendleton alleges her employer treated her differently due to her gender and her physical limitations and she resigned in May 2014 after learning the school’s dean recommended that she retire.

Citing infringement of both the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the plaintiff alleges pain and suffering, humiliation, anxiety and stress as a result of her treatment.

Pendleton seeks: injunctive action; general, special, incidental, exemplary, compensatory and consequential damages in the form of front and back pay and benefits and/or reinstatement; attorney and experts’ fees; expenses and costs. She is represented by attorney Katrina Patrick of Houston.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case 4:15-cv-00736