Former professor sues UMES citing workplace bullying, discrimination

SOMERSET COUNTY, Md.- Cui Fang, a former professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, is suing the school, alleging workplace bullying, discrimination and an unlawful termination.

Fang was a computer science teacher working under department chair, Dr. Asad Azemi, who she said encouraged her to give students higher grades than they deserved, so the university could retain its Higher Education Act and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accreditations.

“Dr. Azemi pushed me to pass at least 90% of students. I objected, because students’ grades should be based on their real performance,” said Fang.

Fang is still listed as a lecturer on the university’s faculty and staff members page, but she said she hasn’t taught at UMES at all this academic year, after she was given three options by the university: to accept a non-teaching full time position, to take on a part time adjunct role, or to not renew her contract.

“I just came back from my maternity leave; my physical and my emotional were still vulnerable. Instead of support, I was immediately retaliated [against]. I objected, because UMES hired me as a teacher, not something else,” Fang said.

She added that she wants the lawsuit to open doors to accountability at UMES.

“I want to return back to my students at UMES because I care deeply about them, and the students appreciated the way I teach them and the support I give them,” Fang said.