Allegations of Discrimination at Texas University
A lawsuit by an Asian-American candidate, Sean Wang, claims that Indian faculty members at Southern Methodist University (SMU) have colluded to disadvantage American job applicants for tenure-track roles, even misclassifying some Asian-American candidates as “white.”
The suit outlines accusations of discrimination against Wang, detailing a pattern that reportedly began after Hemang Desai, an Indian-American, became a full professor at SMU in 2006. It asserts that among Indian candidates who met SMU’s productivity requirements—specifically, having four first-class publications—100% achieved tenure, including Neil Bhattacharya in 2008 and Gauri Bhatt in 2020. In contrast, non-Indian candidates, such as Mina Pizzini, Chris Hogan, Jing Pan, Jeff Yu, and Dr. Wang, have been denied tenure despite meeting the same criteria.
The lawsuit states, “Had Dr. Wang been of Indian descent, he would have received tenure.” It cites an instance where Dr. Desai informed Wang of a forthcoming 3-1 negative vote on his tenure, with all Indian faculty members opposing it and one non-Indian member in favor.
SMU officials, as well as Dr. Desai, did not respond to inquiries regarding the situation.
The document references broader issues, such as allegations of exploitation in the workplace, especially concerning H-1B visa holders and how they might affect the job market for American workers. Experts have remarked that American executives often overlook evidence of misconduct by Indian executives, benefiting from the hiring of cheaper labor.
The U.S. government has reportedly allowed a substantial number of H-1B visa holders into the labor force, which has led to claims that this practice could be disadvantaging qualified American candidates. Cases have emerged where American applicants are excluded to protect managerial interests.
Amid rising rates of underemployment and a growing awareness of the implications of H-1B visa programs, some politicians have voiced their concerns over the situation. For instance, Sen. Eric Schmidt (R-Missouri) stated, “The approval rating for Indian candidates is 100%, while equally qualified non-Indians receive none. This is a systematic issue.”
Vice President J.D. Vance emphasized the importance of discussing H-1B visas with Senate candidates, urging students to hold politicians accountable.
Additionally, the Justice Department is currently examining allegations of discrimination tied to a California-based technology company, according to reports.
Some commentators have noted that the challenges surrounding these issues can be difficult for the public and politicians to grasp. Jay Palmer, who assists in filing lawsuits against discriminatory practices by Indian employers, remarked that those in charge may hire only those who belong to their own network, potentially marginalizing others.
The lawsuit further claims that, during a relocation, SMU offices were assigned in a manner that favored Indian faculty while isolating East Asian faculty members. This alleged purposeful arrangement reflects deeper cultural divisions. It is also noted that Dr. Wang was improperly recorded as “white” in personnel documents, undermining recognition of his minority status and potentially exacerbating his case of discrimination.
The complaint highlights disparities in how similar research is treated based on race, particularly regarding Wang’s work on race-based discrimination, which has faced criticism despite being published in reputable journals. Conversely, similar work by an Indian colleague has been well-received.
Ultimately, Dr. Wang is demanding a jury trial to address all actionable issues related to the case.
