Lawsuit Highlights Racial Problems At U. Michigan's Medical School

FORCING THE ISSUE: Thomas Landefeld says his suit against the University of Michigan is an attempt to make it "more responsive to the treatment of minorities on their campus." Thomas Landefeld, a former associate professor of pharmacology, has sued the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, charging that he was retaliated against-and eventually fired-because of his outspoken attempts to improve the racial environment at Michigan's medical school. Landefeld is currently a professor of biology and

Written byRobert Finn

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FORCING THE ISSUE: Thomas Landefeld says his suit against the University of Michigan is an attempt to make it "more responsive to the treatment of minorities on their campus."

Thomas Landefeld, a former associate professor of pharmacology, has sued the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, charging that he was retaliated against-and eventually fired-because of his outspoken attempts to improve the racial environment at Michigan's medical school. Landefeld is currently a professor of biology and associate dean for faculty affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

In an official statement, the university describes Landefeld's lawsuit as "frivolous" and his claims as "outrageous and unfounded." However, University of Michigan students, faculty, administrators, and an independent firm agree that the medical school's environment is hostile to underrepresented minorities. Landefeld hopes his suit will force the university to make far-reaching changes in how it recruits and works to retain minority faculty and students.

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