Elorza Offered Support to Embattled URI Professor Who Sued University, After Claiming Racism

Elorza Offered Support to Embattled URI Professor Who Sued University, After Claiming Racism

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza had come to the defense of a former University of Rhode Island professor who accused the school of “Jim Crow” racism, according to a document obtained by GoLocal. 

This past weekend, GoLocal first reported former URI professor Louis Kwame Fosu filed a lawsuit against the university in both federal and state court last week. 

In December, Fosu, who had taught in the Political Science department at URI since 2019, charged that the school was responsible for the “deliberate and racist demonizing exclusion of highly qualified African-Americans/Blacks, Latinos/Hispanics and Native Americans from positions of senior leadership and other positions throughout the university."

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URI accused Fosu of "unwarranted, unsubstantiated, and defamatory personal attacks.”  In May, Fosu was fired from URI — and then sued the university.

On Thursday, Fosu provided a letter sent by Elorza to now-former URI President David Dooley, in support of Fosu. 

Elorza in the letter noted that the city’s African American Ambassador’s Group (AAAG) was “informed of the concerns raised about Diversity Equity and Inclusion policy and leadership; quality of educational experience for all students; hiring practices; and support on campus for students of color and all desire a student body reflective of the world around us.”

Elorza Outreached to URI 

“As Mayor of the City of Providence, I am reaching out about issues enumerated in documents which were sent to me, signed by [Fosu] and supported by students and faculty. Both the AAAG and I fully support efforts to identify any systemically inequitable practices at the University,” Elorza wrote.

“As Mayor of Providence, I fully support the diversity efforts of the students, [Fosu], and other faculty members in calling for an open inquiry into hiring practices, particularly as it relates to historically underrepresented minorities. Professor Fosu and his students are demanding exactly the kind of transparent discourse expected from a world-class institution of higher learning,” Elorza continued. “It is my sincere hope that all parties commit to an equitable resolution of these matters.”

Fosu did not respond to request for clarification as to when the letter had been sent by Elorza, at time of article publication.

The former URI professor, however, did note on Thursday morning that URI — after his firing — recently updated its “procedures for policy on nondiscrimination,” which can be found here.