HOUSTON – Houston Community College is facing a lawsuit from a professor who accuses the school of racial discrimination, recent Harris County District Court records indicate.
Syble Davis explains in court documents filed on May 31 in the Harris County 215th District Court that HCC wrongly disciplined her for complaining about discriminatory conduct in relation to the election of an Associate Chair of English almost two years ago.
Davis, who formerly occupied the position in question, asserts election procedures were not followed in choosing between Dr. Helen Graham, who is black, and Dr. Eva Foster, who is white.
The plaintiff claims Graham suffered “an unfair disadvantage,” accusing the English department of favorite white candidates over black candidates.
Davis brought the issue to the attention of her superiors as well as filed a formal charge with HCC’s Office of Institutional Equity, but was placed on a “retaliatory” Performance Improvement Plan.”
“This PIP prevented her from seeking and obtaining a promotion, as employees under a PIP were by rule precluded from participating,” the original petition says.
The suit adds the disciplinary measure, which was reportedly Davis’s first in her more than 25 years at the institution, prevented her from applying to be the Director of the Honors College at the respondent’s Central Campus.
Consequently, the complainant seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
She is represented by Ahad Khan of Houston.
Harris County 215th District Court Case No. 2018-36114