Former Dean Sues the University of Arizona Claiming She Was Underpaid for More Than 20 Years

Patricia MacCorquodale, professor of women’s studies and former dean of the Honors College at the University of Arizona has filed a federal lawsuit against the Arizona Board of Regents. The suit claims that the university perpetuated a “culture that marginalizes, demeans, and undervalues women.”

Dean MacCorquodale claims that she was underpaid for two decades. According to the lawsuit, when she was let go as dean in 2016, she had a salary of $162,750 while the average salary paid to male deans at the university was $320,212. A man hired to replaced MacCorquodale was paid $70,000 more to start than Dean MacCorquodale’s salary.

Professor MacCorquodale joined the faculty at the University of Arizona in 1978. She served as dean of the Honors College from 1993 to 2016. Dr. MacCorquodale is a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.