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So That's How It's Done: The "White Male Shield"
In 1990, architects Michael Kaplan and colleague Judith Reno
(whose case is supported by the American Association of University Women
Legal Advocacy Fund) were reviewed for promotion and tenure by the
Architecture Department of the University of Tennessee. Kaplan was
recommended for tenure by the faculty and Dean. Reno, in spite of massive
support from the students, was not.
Kaplan was then denied promotion and tenure by the Chancello
"I was told by former Chancellor Quinn that if the architecture
department was going to deny Reno, he had to deny me, since both
of our records seemed comparable," Kaplan said. He thus was used as a
"white male shield" against possible charges of discrimination from Reno.
He appealed and was granted tenure in 1991.
Reno, meanwhile, filed a lawsuit against the University of Tennessee,
charging sexual discrimination. Kaplan has supported her case. His support
has led to retaliation and harassment by the University against him, he has
now charged in a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Kaplan says of this complaint, "It seems the University would rather spend
taxpayer dollars defending itself than correct policies that have excluded
women and minorities. In effect, I was reprimanded and punished as a whistle
blower because I spoke up against long standing injustices in the system."
Kaplan is collecting other examples in which the "white male shield"
has been used by universities to protect themselves from charges of gender
discrimination. One example is the case of David Trubeck and Clare Dalton
at Harvard Law Schoo1987. The law faculty voted for Trubeck and against
Dalton for tenure. Trubeck was denied tenure by Harvard President Derek Bok
who overrode the faculty vote for Trubeck and denied both tenure. Trubeck
did not appeal the decision but Dalton did and recently arranged a large
settlement from Harvard.
Kaplan is interested in collecting further examples of the
"white male shield." To alert him to any cases, or to find out more
about his case or how to support Reno's case, call him at 615-531-2927.
Source: Information received from Michael Kaplan, Assoc. Prof.,
Architecture Department, University of Tennessee.
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