Updated Dec. 5, 2023 at 3:47 p.m.
Saint Augustine's University has fired its President Christine McPhail.
McPhail鈥檚 attorney, David Tracey, said the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees voted to oust McPhail on Nov. 13 but only notified her of her termination on Sunday.
Tracey said the original vote was a week after McPhail sent Saint Augustine鈥檚 a letter stating that she was filing a gender discrimination and retaliation suit against the university.
鈥�(The vote was) mere days after our firm notified the university,鈥� Tracey said. 鈥�... and mere weeks after Dr. McPhail had filed an internal complaint alleging certain conduct created a hostile environment.鈥�
The Board of Trustees named Leslie Rodriguez-McClellon as acting president. She has severed as the university's vice president of community relations and government affairs.
McPhail鈥檚 initial complaint was filed on Oct. 9, four days after an allegedly hostile university board meeting.
Tracey said the board鈥檚 behavior wasn鈥檛 a single incident, but instead an ongoing pattern of mistreatment. McPhail alleges that some of the trustees have yelled at her and made demeaning comments based on her gender.
鈥淪he has alleged that male members of the Board of Trustees disregarded her opinions and recommendations, while favoring those of male employees,鈥� Tracey said.
Tracey said after the complaint was filed, McPhail was pressured by the board to take it back.
鈥淔ollowing McPhail鈥檚 Oct. 9 internal complaint, the members of the Board of Trustees threatened her job and there was a certain pressure to recant,鈥� Tracey said.
In a press release, Saint Augustine鈥檚 Board of Trustees said that McPhail鈥檚 allegations are false.
"The Board denies the unfounded allegations Dr. McPhail has made against the University... and the Board is prepared to defend itself and the institution,鈥� the press release reads."
The Board of Trustee鈥檚 decision to fire McPhail comes as Saint Augustine鈥檚 University is in the midst of fighting for its accreditation.
On Dec. 4, 2022, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges .
According to a , Saint Augustine鈥檚 failed to comply with several of its accreditation principles, including being able to show the university has 鈥渟ound financial resources.鈥� They were given a year to make changes.
Universities that are not accredited can鈥檛 receive federal funding, including student financial aid.
In the press release, the Board said it is working to restore the university鈥檚 standing and will do so under new leadership.
鈥淭he university's accreditation is critical to the university's ability to continue as one of the predominant HBCUs in this state,鈥� the release reads. 鈥淭his critical mission will remain our central focus as we continue to support the faculty, staff, alumni, and, most importantly, the students of Saint Augustine's University.鈥�
McPhail was . She replaced her late husband Irving McPhail in 2021. Her contract with the university was supposed to continue until February 2025, according to Tracey.
Saint Augustine's is a private Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Raleigh. It was founded in 1867.
