A 17-year employee of Ball State University is suing the school for harassment and racial discrimination that has gone on for period of seven years, according to court documents. Maetta Vance, who is black, is looking for a trial and ultimately a money judgement, her Indianapolis attorney Mark Waterfill said. She currently works in University Banquet and Catering as a catering assistant. "We think she was discriminated against based on her race," Waterfill said. Ball State and four of its employees are named in the suit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. They are:n William Kimes, the general manager of the University Banquet and Cateringn Saundra Davis, the supervising employee in University Banquet and Cateringn Karen Adkins, the assistant director of personnel, training and administration for Residence Hall and Dining Servicen Connie McVicker, a truck driver for University Banquet and Catering Vance would not comment because the case is pending. Layne Cameron, who is serving as the university spokesperson, said Ball State does not comment on pending litigation.In the 12-page complaint filed Oct. 3 by Waterfill, a long list of accusations against Ball State employees accompanies five counts against some or all of the defendants. Among Vance's complaints in the document are:n As a co-worker, Davis slapped, threatened to inflict bodily harm and physically impeded Vance's exit from a work elevator. n As a supervisor, Davis made racial jokes in front of Vance.n McVicker repeatedly harassed and discriminated against Vance on the basis of race, including calling her a "monkey," continually following her and laughing and staring at her. Vance reported harassment and discrimination to Kimes, her supervisor, on multiple occasions and also filed complaints with the Office of University Compliance, according to court documents. In December Vance filed a claim for race, age and gender discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Instead of helping, this subjected Vance to retaliation by Kimes, according to court documents. Vance has been forced to perform additional tasks, subjected to a higher level of scrutiny by managers and her hours have been decreased, according to court documents. Vance continues to feel like she is being retaliated against for the actions she's taken against the university, Waterfill said. "It's unfortunate we've had to take it this far," Waterfill said, "but we feel our client has been discriminated against."The defendants are required to file an answer to Vance's complaint by Nov. 22.
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