Ph.D. Student Rose Brown Files Discrimination Lawsuit Against UNC-CH

“Your grades are great, and your research is great. It’s not about that. We don’t think you fit in here”.               

          – UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Ph.D. Program Director Matthew Pearsall

CHAPEL HILL, NC – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is known for its prestige and excellency in academia, sports, and culture. The University of North Carolina was the first public University founded in the nation; on December 11, 1789, William Richardson Davie wrote the act that established the University. For many centuries to follow, the legacies of the University continued to make history and shaped the world we live in today.

But, behind the scenic beauty of old architectural walls, brick walkways, grand libraries, and ancient wise tales about a sip from the well, one thing has never changed – discrimination of acceptance based on race.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is facing a new lawsuit against allegations of racial discrimination. A former student, Rose Brown, 28, claims she was pushed out of the business program after reporting of discrimination she received by faculty members.

The Kenan-Flagler Business School is supposed to be an innovative area where students of different cultures and diversity can intertwine in education; it is rated No. 19 in the latest U.S News & World Report ranking. The school strives to provide value-driven culture, commitment to real-world learning experiences, and preparedness for an unpredictable business career in the future. While some students have had an incredible journey gaining their diplomas, others, like Rose Brown, have faced discrimination, racism, and sexism.

Rose Brown is a recent graduate of UNC Charlotte and earned a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After she received her Master’s degree, Brown was awarded acceptance into the School of Business Ph.D. program as the only Black woman in 2020. However, according to Brown, the advisors at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill told her that she was not smart enough to attain a Ph.D. in the Business program and was belittled for her incompetence. Filing a civil lawsuit against the Business school, Brown said she was forced out for a year without any warning; according to UNC Program Director Matthew Pearsall, Brown was “no longer a good fit for the program.” Afterward, she filed a complaint with the University’s Equal Opportunity Compliance Office complaining of discrimination.

Rose Brown did not just accuse the University of discrimination, but she also dismissed the program for lack of support when she was sexually assaulted on campus, not once but twice.

Page Sagester, a spokesperson for the University, stated that officials are unable to comment on the allegations. Other names, such as Shimul Melwani, Sreedhari Desai, and Michael Christian, are under further inspection for their handling of Rose Brown.

This is, unfortunately, not the first time someone has accused the University of racial discrimination. In the Spring of last year, Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the New York Times, did not receive tenure. Declining the extended pity offer after much controversy, she accepted a tenure position at Howard University.

Brown hasn’t given up on her lawsuit. She is seeking damages for her emotional distress, and she wants justice for what happened to her.

“Your grades are great, and your research is great. It’s not about that. We don’t think you fit in here.”

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