The “zuweenie” is just the tip of the iceberg—what seems like a harmless joke barely scratches the surface of a lawsuit against the Utah Tech University administration about racial comments, misconduct and toxic work environments.
If this was just about the “zuweenie” incident, it wouldn’t have been a whole ordeal. However, the names signed on the “zuweenie” were people who had no idea about it and didn’t consent to having their names signed.
Because this isn’t the first time within the past eight years that faculty or staff members have sued the administration, all under Richard “Biff” Williams’ presidency, this is an unprofessional and embarrassing look for our university that we once had pride in. Yet, we are concerned administrators will receive no consequences for creating toxic work environments.
Background
The Salt Lake Tribune published an article Nov. 8 that said employees Hazel Sainsbury, director of equity compliance and Title IX coordinator, Rebecca Broadbent, general counselor who hasn’t been allowed to return to her position in nine months, and Jared Rasband, senior associate general counsel, filed against:
- Richard “Biff” Williams, previous Utah Tech president
- Jordon Sharp, vice president of marketing and communication
- Del Beatty, vice president of student affairs
- Michael Lacourse, provost and vice president of academic affairs
- Henrie Walton, interim chief of staff, BOT secretary and assistant to president for government and community relations
- Tiffany Wilson, chair of the Utah Tech board of trustees
- Utah Tech University
- Geoff Landward, commissioner for USHE, UBHE and OCHE
- Utah Board of Higher Education
- Utah System of Higher Education
- Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
- Alison Adams, general counsel for the UBHE, USHE and OCHE
- Eric Pedersen, professor of software engineering and previously a dean
- Matt Black, photographer and videographer
- Jyl Hall, director of public relations
- Jared Madsen, director of university design and branding
- Stacy Schmidt, assistant director of public relations
- Brooke Ulrich, director of university events and promotions
- Travis Rosenberg, executive director of human resources
- Courtney White, interim president and previously chief of staff
The 42-page report includes allegations of resistance, intimidation, harassment and retaliation. This includes the unknowing signing of the three plaintiffs on the note with the “zuweenie,” mockery of Title IX, Broadbent’s wrongful put on leave, obscene and vulgar quotes on a public break room wall, harassment from mandatory reporting, verbal abuse and discrimination based on Sainsbury’s race.
Embarrassing and concerning
It’s difficult to have pride in our university when lawsuits over hostile environments are filed every couple of years, yet these administrative individuals remain working here.
Despite lawsuits and a push for change, nothing ever changes.
We don’t see the consequences that should be mandatory concerning misconduct and toxicity. Provost Lacourse was said to be “put on leave,” and women’s basketball coach J.D. Gustin was given a two-week suspension. There are no consequences for these men.
Right now, Utah Tech does not have a good appearance. When Googling our university, lawsuits and allegations against current faculty and staff arise.
This is not only embarrassing to say this is where we go to school but also concerning for our future careers.
The entire point of changing Utah Tech’s name was to assist in the hiring process after graduation. However, with lawsuits like this, our school looks like a joke.
Future employers will not take us seriously if all our school is known for is lawsuits against the administration. It doesn’t establish a credible education for us as students.
With Title IX matters not being taken seriously by administrators, how can students expect their situations to be handled and protected? How can students trust who is making decisions about what is labeled as “important” to report and what is not, or the fact that allegations aren’t even taken seriously and are made a mockery of?
Williams has since released his apology, while those being sued have declined to comment to Sun News. The same public relations statement that every other news organization has is what we were given.
It’s ironic that the people who give out public statements are the people who are also being sued right now. It doesn’t make sense that the people being sued are also the people issuing the public statement.
Repeated pattern
Even after stepping down as president in January, Williams received payment from Utah Tech until he obtained his position at Missouri State University. Where are his consequences for condoning toxicity at our university? He gets money from Utah Tech and a new job like nothing ever happened.
Under Williams’ presidency, Gustin was also sued yet faced only a two-week suspension and still works in his position.
In 2018, two professors were fired and found not guilty, and they said they were not given fairness in their terminations before being found not guilty.
In 2016, a professor was terminated and found not guilty on his accounts, in which he sued for wrongful termination and received a settlement.
Sainsbury, Broadbent and Rasband have also since released their thoughts, and it’s ridiculous and disgusting they are still facing retaliation.
The pattern here is undeniable. Administration is sued. The same people get practically no consequences and continue their work at Utah Tech.
The change we want to see
It’s unfortunate that when lawsuits come out against Utah Tech, we have to hear about it from The Salt Lake Tribune when students are simply told Provost Lacourse was put on leave, or President Williams was stepping down when that’s not the truth. There is zero accountability from these administrators.
We now see that this lawsuit contributes to what’s keeping our university from hiring a permanent president, which is what we need.
We need someone who hasn’t previously been associated with Utah Tech. A clean house is what needs to happen. No one mentioned in this lawsuit should be considered for our next president because we need someone who can speak up when something is wrong, be transparent and take accountability.
We’d rather have the time taken to find candidates outside of Utah Tech than have a president associated with these allegations, who knew about them but chose to remain silent or anyone who has knowingly mishandled Title IX cases.
We surely don’t feel comfortable with anyone on this list of individuals being sued to be our next president. In fact, those named who purposefully created hostile environments, made fun of Title IX and made racial comments should be fired.
There’s no reason why a new president, found outside the Utah Tech community, can’t turn the page and create an entirely new work environment here. We want to see a future free of racism, retaliation and toxicity.
