[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 12/19/02] Discrimination suit OK'd against Life ex-president By MARY MacDONALD The Atlanta Journal-Constitution A jury can consider the claims of former Life University faculty who say they were subjected to a hostile work environment and fired based on their Jewish faith, a federal judge has ruled. The discrimination lawsuit was filed in December 2000 by four professors who say they were humiliated when former President Sid Williams repeatedly referred to people as "New York Jews." In a recent ruling, U.S. Magistrate Janet King said six of 11 complaints made in the lawsuit can go to trial. She dismissed other complaints made by two of the professors, including slander and disability-related discrimination. A spokesman for the Marietta university declined comment on the lawsuit. The court decision is the most recent setback for the university, which is struggling to regain accreditation of its chiropractic degree program -- once the largest in the nation. Williams, now retired, said Wednesday he did not fire anyone for religious reasons. He said he used the phrase "New York Jews" in affection. "I always talk about New York Jews in a friendly, warm and compassionate manner," Williams said. "I don't talk in a derogatory way with anybody. They say that constantly. I adopted it from my Jewish friends." The former employees -- Bruce Harman, Bert Silverman, Donald Gutstein and Dennis Ralin -- are seeking damages, including back pay. In her decision, King said the professors' testimony indicated Williams referred to the professors or others as "New York Jews" in dozens of assemblies, faculty meetings and private meetings. "The fact that so many of these references occurred in public caused plaintiffs a great deal of humiliation, which is another factor that must be taken into account," she wrote. "Williams' statements in a letter to Harman that 'Jews don't have pain like ordinary people' and his numerous references to '. . . a New York Jew, a redneck New York Jew, and a redneck New York Jew with white socks" are offensive, anti-Semitic and, quite frankly, bizarre." Her recommendation now goes to U.S. District Judge Willis Hunt, who is presiding over the case and ultimately will determine whether the case will go to trial. Harman, who now works for an Internet service for chiropractors, said he felt vindicated by the decision. After taking a medical leave, Harman said he was denied a part-time position when he wanted to return, although other professors were given such positions. "The four of us have been in this thing from the beginning," he said. "I was thrilled that the judge validated everything we were saying about the religiously hostile environment at Life." Of the potential for damages, Harman said he hoped a jury would believe the professors were unjustly fired. "All of our lives were disrupted because of our terminations."