Ex-DEI staffer for U of Wisconsin awarded $265,000 settlement after alleging anti-white discrimination

A former diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) staffer at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will receive $265,000 after suing the school for alleged discrimination for being white.

Rochelle Hoffman filed the lawsuit in December 2023 after being promoted to interim director of the university’s Multicultural Student Services office. According to the complaint, Hoffman faced hostility from both students and staff questioning her “legitimacy” in the position.

She alleged that some students expressed disapproval of a white woman holding the role, including one who asked, “You hired a white woman as the interim director?” Another asked, "Do you personally feel white staff can do as effective a job as a person of color, within a space for people of color?"

Hoffman said she felt pressured to resign after eight months of hostility. After filing a lawsuit, the university agreed to the $265,000 settlement but denied wrongdoing, stating that "any payment made hereunder is not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the Released Parties, and that the Released Parties herein deny liability or any wrongdoing and intend merely to avoid litigation and buy their peace."

In a statement to Fox News, Hoffman said, "For over a decade, I’ve worked as a teacher in both K-12 and higher education, primarily serving first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. While at UW–Eau Claire, I was honored to be appointed by Vice Chancellor Diaz as a DEI Program Director to expand data-informed academic interventions that improved retention and graduation rates among students of color."

"Despite facing unlawful discrimination in that DEI role as a White woman, I remain steadfast in my belief that high-quality, accessible education — grounded in data and responsive to a changing workforce — is essential for all learners. I believe deeply in leading and teaching with integrity and in choosing the harder right over the easier wrong. My commitment to student-centered learning and academic excellence remains as strong as ever,” she added.

Hoffman’s attorney noted that the case was not an attack on the university’s DEI programs.

“We did not bring this case based on opposition to the university's programs,” her lawyer stated. “This suit was brought because UW-Eau Claire had taken actions that unlawfully discriminated against an employee who championed those programs with substantial success. Such actions can undermine the credibility of the programs the University seeks to promote."