The president of a liberal arts college in Illinois has resigned effective December 19 despite being cleared of civil rights violations following remarks she is accused of making about “timid Asian woman,” reported the State-Journal-Register.
Julie Murray-Jensen will depart Blackburn College less than a year after taking office. Her comments about Asian women came during the discussion about the search for a new Director of Marketing and Public Relations
“Jensen made a comment about wanting someone who was very energetic… What I recall was that she said this position would probably not be filled by a ‘typical small, timid, Asian woman.’ This is a racial stereotype being used as a disqualifier for employment. This is a clear violation of Title VII,” said the school’s former Executive Director for Philanthropy and Stewardship Mark Zobel, who made his accusation to the campus paper, The Burnian.
An outside law firm investigated Murray-Jensen’s remarks, but cleared her of any wrongdoing. No reason has been given for her pending departure and she declined to comment on the issue.
″(President) Murray-Jensen has been instrumental in helping us to identify various avenues for growth, and we are thankful for her service,” said Mike Smiley, chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees.
Zobel himself resigned in May, but said his resignation had nothing to do with Murray-Jensen’s remarks.
According to the Burnian, the outgoing president also expressed concerns the school’s diversity statement would discourage White applicants from applying. In the same meeting, she also suggested giving bonus points to minority applicants.
She announced her resignation last month.
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