A white chemistry professor in Camden, NJ, is suing his college, claiming he suffers “embarrassment and humiliation” because his less-qualified black colleagues are paid more than he is.
William T. Lavell says in his lawsuit that he has taught at Camden County College for more than 25 years, and currently earns $91,923. He holds three professional degrees in his area of certification, the lawsuit says.
But two engineering professors on the faculty earn significantly more despite having fewer professional degrees, the lawsuit says, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
One of the professors, Lawrence Chatman, earned $137,157 in 2020; the other, Melvin Roberts, currently earns $142,600.
The suit did not say how Lavell’s salary compares to the other chemistry professors in his department, the Inquirer noted.
Lavell, 66, of Annapolis, Md., discovered the salary discrepancy by asking for the college salary records under New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act.
He filed the lawsuit after the college rejected his request for a raise to bring his salary in line with his black colleagues’, the suit says.
Lavell had a 4.8 rating out of 5 on RateMyProfessors.com, with 100% of 43 respondents saying they would take his class again.
College officials and Lavell’s lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Inquirer or The Post.
The lawsuit seeks back salary and benefits plus unspecified damages and legal fees.