University Times

A professor in Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs has sued the University for racial discrimination for allegedly failing to pay him a salary commensurate with his rank.

Jerome McKinney filed the suit in federal court on Feb. 28. In it, he alleges that he has been at the bottom of the pay scale for full professors since 1987, even though he teaches more graduate-level courses than any other tenured, full professor in the school.

He alleges that other full professors hired after 1987 teach fewer graduate-level courses, publish fewer scholarly articles and serve on fewer committees for doctoral candidates than he does, yet earn higher salaries.

McKinney is seeking more than $50,000 in compensatory damages, back pay and a court order requiring Pitt to increase his salary.

Director of Communications Ken Service said the University would not comment on the case because it is in litigation.