More than a year since filing a discrimination lawsuit against Ball State University, Maetta Vance said she continues to experience racial harassment daily.
Vance, a black 19-year employee of Banquet and Catering Services, said four white coworkers and supervisors have harassed and discriminated against her in the workplace on the basis of race, and continue to do so.
Vance filed complaints in October 2006 against Ball State and employees William Kimes, Saundra Davis, Karen Adkins and Connie McVicker, according to court documents.
Kimes, Vance's supervisor, also harassed and discriminated against her on multiple occasions, according to previous reports.
Vance said because of the complaints she has filed, she has been subject to retaliation from Kimes. Her responsibilities and hours at work have been decreased, and she has been held to higher standards than her co-workers, she said.
"It's only gotten worse since I filed my complaints," Vance said. "I continue to be harassed on a daily basis. I have been called the N-word and received threats from the Klu Klux Klan. It's horrible."
Vance's attorney, Mark Waterfill, said the defendants' attorneys filed November 1 for the case to be dismissed, and all parties are waiting to hear the judge's decision. If the judge decides to hear her case, Vance's jury trial will begin April 14, he said.
"This whole thing has drug on for too long with very little action," he said.
Tony Proudfoot, media relations manager, said the university has investigated the situation and taken appropriate measures to alleviate her concerns.
Waterfill said he disagrees.
"We don't doubt that Ball State has looked into [Vance's] situation, but they have not taken the appropriate steps to help her," he said.
None of the defendants have been removed or relocated from their positions in Banquet and Catering, he said.
Ball State representatives were required to testify on the explanation and implementation of policies and procedures regarding the defendant's actions, according to court documents.
December 5, 2007, Ball State President Jo Ann Gora was subpoenaed to testify on Vance's case in order to inquire about public statements she has made about eliminating racism on campus.
The court found, however, that Gora's testimony would be irrelevant to Vance's case and quashed the subpoena, according to court documents.
Waterfill said Vance is seeking a money judgment for damages. Vance can receive up to $300,000, according to court documents.
Waterfill said he is disappointed to hear that Vance continues to experience prejudice because of her race.
"It's sad that there is still blatant racial discrimination out there," he said. "No one should go through what [Vance] has and continues to go through."
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