University of Arizona Class Action Says Gender Bias Hinders Female Professors

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A chemistry professor has lodged a class action lawsuit alleging the University of Arizona engages in gender bias which hinders female employees from higher pay and promotions.

Lead plaintiff Katrina Miranda, Ph.D., claims in her University of Arizona class action lawsuit that the school systematically discriminates against female professors within the College of Science.

Dr. Miranda says she was paid less than equally or even less experienced male colleagues.

“Female science professors are routinely paid significantly less than their male counterparts, with men typically earning higher salaries,” alleges the University of Arizona gender bias class action lawsuit.

“Moreover, women are disproportionality concentrated at the Assistant and Associate Professor levels and denied promotions to Professor. These pronounced and systematic disparities are the direct result of college-wide policies and practices – including denying women equal access to resources and leadership opportunities and allowing a handful of male administrators, principally the Dean of the College of Science, to exercise unilateral control over pay and promotions.”

Dr. Miranda claims in her class action lawsuit that while a similarly experienced male chemistry professor was paid $130,000 from 2016 until 2018, she was paid tens of thousands less, only approximately $100,000 during those years.

Despite her strong performance and even after winning multiple awards, the plaintiff says that her pay “languished at inordinately low levels for years.” Further, she had to wait an excessively long time to be promoted to Professor.

According to the University of Arizona gender bias class action lawsuit, other females in the College of Science suffered the same pay and promotion disparities at the hands of leadership.

“This pay disparity is a direct result of policies and practices implemented by the College and University leadership,” contends the UofA class action lawsuit. “Female Professors in the College of Science at the University earn less than male Professors. They are also subjected to humiliating and demeaning treatment by the University’s male leadership to which their male peers are not subjected and are denied equal access to resources. For example, female professors routinely receive fewer research assistants and lesser mentoring opportunities than their male counterparts.”

Dr. Miranda says that when she complained about the University of Arizona gender bias to college leadership, they retaliated against her. According to the University of Arizona class action lawsuit, Dr. Miranda’s lab space was cut along with her access to research assistants.

“In accordance with these established patterns, the University denied Dr. Miranda a promotion to Professor on the basis of her gender,” alleges the UofA class action lawsuit. “The Department of Chemistry and the University held Dr. Miranda to a stricter standard than her male colleagues, creating irregularities in the review process.”

Despite faculty recommendations, the President of the University of Arizona reportedly denied Dr. Miranda’s appeal of the denial of her tenure.

The University of Arizona gender bias class action lawsuit seeks to represent women who are or have been employed by the College of Science at the institution.

The plaintiff is seeking front and back pay, as well as compensation for benefits lost. Dr. Miranda is also seeking a court order forcing the University of Arizona to change its allegedly discriminatory practices.

Dr. Miranda is represented by Merle Joy Turchik of Turchik Law Firm PC, David Sanford, Kate Mueting, Andrew Melzer, and Christopher Yandel of Sanford Heisler Sharp LLP.

The University of Arizona Gender Bias Class Action Lawsuit is Miranda v. Arizona Board of Regents, Case No. 4:18-cv-00576-LAB, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.