Dont ComplyCourthouse News reports that Jesús Antonio Rivas-Molina, a biology professor and former department chair at New Mexico Highlands University, filed suit in Las Vegas District Court alleging retaliation and discrimination. He says the university investigated and disciplined him after he emailed faculty on March 27, 2025, recommending a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative. According to his complaint, the sanctions include two written reprimands, removal as chair, a performance-improvement plan and a last-chance agreement. He alleges the university did not interview witnesses he identified, did not investigate his own discrimination complaints, and rejected a state labor board hearing officer's recommendation to rescind the initial discipline. He seeks an order barring enforcement of the sanctions. The allegations have not been tested in court. Courthouse News reported that the parties did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Why it matters
The suit raises allegations that a public university used discipline in response to a faculty member's speech and discrimination complaints. The claims are unproven and will be tested in court.
These are unproven claims, and everyone named is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.