TUCSON, Ariz. - A former University of Arizona dean and the Arizona Board of Regents settled a $2 million gender discrimination lawsuit.
In January 2018, Patricia MacCorquodale, a former dean of the University of Arizona's Honors College, filed a suit alleging she was underpaid by tens of thousands of dollars compared to her male colleagues for two decades.
The lawsuit says when school officials removed MacCorquodale as dean in 2016, she was replaced by a man who made nearly $70,000 more than she did.
Former dean of the UofA's College of Architecture Janice Cervelli and former College of Nursing Dean Joan Shaver later joined. Both accused the university of gender pay disparity.
The Arizona Board of Regents paid out $190,000 total to Patricia MacCorquodale ($57,351, as well as $56,648 for litigation costs), Janice Cervelli ($28,675 and $28,324 for litigation costs) and Joan Shaver ($9,558 and $9,441for litigation costs).
ABOR released the figures to KGUN9 to fulfill a public information request.
In a joint statement released Wednesday, MacCorquodale and the regents said:
A settlement has been reached in the matter of Patricia MacCorquodale, Janice Cervelli, and Joan Shaver versus the Arizona Board of Regents. Plaintiffs brought this action to highlight the importance of gender equity and diverse leadership in higher education, and both parties agree and reaffirm the continuing importance of these issues. The parties are pleased that this matter has been mutually resolved. The University recognizes the Plaintiffs’ contributions to their respective Colleges, and wishes Patricia MacCorquodale and Joan Shaver well as they continue their academic pursuits at the University, and wishes Janice Cervelli a continued fruitful career as well.
