Former MATC employees file discrimination complaints over dismantling of Multicultural Services Department
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A lawsuit has been filed against Milwaukee Area Technical College.
The school is being sued for the removal of its Multicultural Services Department and accused of unjustly firing four people based on race.
A press conference was held Wednesday, Nov. 19.
The lawsuit argues MATC's actions are "hiding behind our current administration's attacks on DEI."
Supporters of the lawsuit say Milwaukee is strong because of its diversity, and the removal of MATC's diversity initiatives will hurt both the school and the community.
"Milwaukee has challenges with issues relative to race," said Walter Lanier, president and CEO of Great Lakes Urban Empowerment Center. "Most segregated city in the nation. And the only way that we'll deal with those issues and become great is if we all get to the same table, deal with the difficult times and make a difference."
MATC released the following statement Wednesday:
"MATC works every day to ensure all students have access to high-quality, affordable degrees and high-paying jobs. As Wisconsin’s largest technical college – and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest – we are dedicated to supporting every student's success by providing necessary resources and fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment. It is no secret that Federal mandates have made operating within higher education more challenging, and we have acted thoughtfully, nimbly and creatively to ensure our students still receive the support needed to be successful at MATC and beyond. Our commitment and focus remain on supporting each and every one of our students, providing them with the resources they need to succeed. Through the Office of Community Impact and other departments, we are providing sustainable, long-term support to all students. They continue to receive uninterrupted, holistic services they need to pursue their educational and career goals, including academic support, one-on-one coaching, peer mentoring, student-parent resources, community partnerships, and access to programs like emergency funds and our food pantry to ensure student success and deliver a college experience. Our students demonstrate their ability to adapt to change every day. We know they will thrive despite this change in how they receive support. Perhaps the bigger question is not about our students’ ability to adapt and thrive amid changes, but about our community trusting us to make the changes necessary to allow MATC to adapt to current changes and propel us forward. Like other universities and colleges across the country, we continue to work to carefully balance and incorporate directives coming from the U.S. Department of Education, aligning federal guidance with local priorities. Our goal, which we believe we are achieving through the Office of Community Impact and other programs, is to avoid jeopardizing the critical funding needed to maintain operations and student aid at MATC, while still providing the necessary support to our students. Despite making difficult staffing decisions, we can proudly say that service to students has not been reduced and we remain committed to meeting students’ needs and making sure they have a positive experience at MATC. We work hard to ensure fairness and equity in the workplace, which was recently acknowledged as a Top Workplace by Forbes nationally, but we ask our community not to lose sight of our primary role as an education institution that must be focused on student success. We can confirm we have offered support to each of the four affected employees. In fact, two of the four are currently working at MATC in ongoing or new capacities."