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Record-setting Settlements at Cal State
Recent settlements this year have set records for payouts for lawsuits in various categories in the California State System.
Bert Rivas, Octavio Villalpando, Cecilia Burciaga, sued Cal State at Monterey Bay for racial discrimination.
A settlement was reached at the end of April just before trial. The agreement includes $1 million to be
split among the plaintiffs and their lawyers. In addition, the university agrees to create a scholarship
fund that will award $50,000 annually to low-income students. The university will supply this money until
an endowment for the scholarship fund is established. This settlement is believed to be one of the largest
payouts by the Cal State system for racial discrimination.
Cal State at Fullerton has also set a record. Payouts include:
- For unfair retaliation, 2002: $457,000
- For sexual harassment, 2001: $447,000
- For sexual harassment, 2001: $100,000
- For gender harassment, 2001: unknown
The $447,000 is believed to be the largest payout for a sexual harassment suit in the California State
System. Two other suits have been filed for discrimination, and for discrimination, retaliation, and
harassment at Fullerton. However, Fullerton may not be setting records for number of suits. The general
counsel for the California State System said, "I don´t think Fullerton stands out in terms of
having a lot of lawsuits."
Source: Chronicle of Higher Education 4/9/02, 5/3/02
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