UT
NIVERSITY IMES www.csulauniversitytimes.com
September 6, 2016 C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y, L O S A N G E L E S
Lawsuit filed against Mike Garrett for sexual harassment
Marrian Zhou Managing Editor
On the early morning of August 20, Cal State LA student Brandon Onyemaechi Nwarueze was killed in a two-car collision on the eastbound 10 Freeway in Ontario, as reported by the San Bernardino County Sheriff Coroner’s Division.
The Plaintiff, Dr. Sheila Hudson, a former field Olympian, is the Associate Athletic Director, Senior Woman Administrator, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and Compliance Coordinator who has worked in Cal State LA’s Athletic department for 14 years.
The complaint also provided information regarding the ongoing sexual harassments, gender discrimination and job opportunity inequity at Cal State LA, addressing five causes of action
Mourning the loss of of Brandon Nwarueze
(1990-2016) Gerardo Amezquita Editor-in-Chief
A lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, August 30, claiming that former Athletic Director Mike Garrett sexually harassed younger female employees within days of his employment at Cal State LA.
According to the 22-page complaint, Garrett called female employees, including Hudson, “demeaning” names. He constantly used terms such as “Babe,” “Sweetheart,” “Love,” “Legs,” and told at least one student employee “I love you” and “I could kiss you.” When the University’s Human Resources department was informed of this issue, they justified Garrett’s actions and warned Dr. Hudson against voicing her complaints, the lawsuit alleges.
Issue 213.03
| Photo courtesy of Cal State LA
which included the University’s Violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In response, Ogletree Deakins, the law firm that represents the University, published an official statement that “this malicious complaint is a reckless compilation of exaggerations and fabrication. It is without substance and will be repudiated by facts. Women hold most of Cal State LA’s top leadership positions.” Numerous attempts to reach the University for comment were made, but the University is currently not releasing any further information or statement in regards to the lawsuit.
Despite the doubts on the University’s hiring process that Hudson was passed over for the Athletic Director position, she told the University Times that she received complaints about Garrett within the first few weeks of his employment. “It was very regular, and I felt offended [by these terms]. He just started the job, he was my boss, I was just getting to know him, and it was a very awkward situation,” said Hudson. “In my knowledge, it was just happening to me. It wasn’t until maybe couple weeks later that a student assistant shared with me that she experienced the same thing. This was a very uncomfortable situation and we can’t have this.” Later on, other female employees reported
similar encounters, according to the complaint. After the Human Resources department ignored several of Hudson’s attempts to address this issue, she complained to Garrett directly but was yelled at and chased into her office to “continue to berate her”, the complaint alleges. His reasoning was that “he has always called women these names- including at USCand they have never complained,” according to the lawsuit. Intimidated and frightened, Hudson immediately walked to the Office of Human Resources to report Garrett. However, her complaint ended with no action taken. She was advised by Mariel (Continued on page 8)
The 25-year-old Nwarueze was a TVF student noted for his high spirits, enchanting smile, quirky humor and optimistic attitude he brought every day to class. He was aspiring Entertainment Law, who planned to be an A&R Executive, as disclosed in his LinkedIn profile. According to Nwarueze family’s GoFundMe page, the University granted his diploma in light of the circumstances. Nwarueze was only a few credits away from graduating. The California Highway Patrol responded to a 3:03 AM call of a crash on the eastbound Interstate 10 freeway at 4th Street. Once the officers arrived they reported Nwarueze was struck in the rearend by another vehicle driven by 24-year-old Steven Alvarez from Rancho Cucamonga. Emergency response pronounced Alvarez dead at the scene, Nwarueze was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, but died an hour later. [Continued on page 2]
Thirteen-year-old foster child hosted by Women’s basketball team Ani Nalbandian Staff Reporter At the kickoff of the school year, thirteen-year-old foster child Chloe ran drills with the Cal State LA Women’s Basketball team to get a taste of what college sports has to offer. With the direction of resident superstar Coach Cheryl Miller, Chloe performed beautifully and even outlasted some of the players. In an interview with the University Times, the former Olympian and Pan American Game’s champion Coach Cheryl Miller said, “We are blessed as individuals, coaches and players to meet someone who is faced with difficulties and continues to have
aspirations for playing for the WNBA.” Coach Miller expressed her gratitude to have players who were genuinely interested in creating a supportive and fun environment for Chloe. Miller was impressed by the player’s characters and added the necessity of compassionate attitudes for playing in the WNBA. In an interview with KTTV Fox 11 news, Chloe said, “whenever I shoot and I hear that swish, when I make it in, I love it.” She went on to say, “It’s really fun here; I like the coaches, I like the girls, I love the campus and everyone seems very nice here.”
Coach Paul Helms ran the idea of hosting Chloe by Coach Miller and she explained “I was on board with the idea immediately and was excited by the opportunity.” She was curious to see how the players would respond, considering that the activity fulfilled mandatory community service. Miller was thrilled by all the players, stating, “the team looked excited and genuinely interested in helping Chloe.” By all accounts, Chloe is a wonderful teenager and athlete and deserves the best the world has to offer. However she has been faced with unfortunate circumstances, spending approximately 9 years in foster care. Chloe is in need of a loving family who has
her best interests at heart and will encourage her incredible potential as an athlete. Please call 866-921-ADOPT
(2367) to learn more about adoption.
| Photo courtesy of Sabrina Hamilton