Ex-official says he was forced out over ‘false accusations’

The former chief diversity officer for the University of Oklahoma said Wednesday he was told he could either resign or be terminated.

Jabar Shumate said he is considering legal action against OU because of the forced resignation, as well as “false accusations” the university has made “against my character.”

OU announced Tuesday Shumate had resigned “to pursue other career opportunities.”

Shumate called a news conference Wednesday evening at the Oklahoma City office of his attorney, Lindsey Mulinix-Ewert, where he read a statement but declined to answer questions.

“The nature of these allegations are not only slanderous but from my perspective constitute a high-tech lynching,” Shumate read from his statement.

The university issued this statement in response:

“When confronted with

an audit that concluded last week, which revealed a significant misuse of university assets, Jabar Shumate resigned and the university accepted his resignation.

“OU highly values and appreciates the position of the chief diversity officer and the office of university community. Because this was not a preplanned exit, the university has not yet named an interim chief diversity officer. We are seeking new leadership for that position immediately.”

The position was created in March 2015 after two videos surfaced of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity members laughing and singing racist lyrics. Then-President David Boren announced he was appointing Shumate to the new position of vice president for the university community.

OU closed the SAE house and banned the fraternity from campus.

Reading from his statement Wednesday, Shumate said, “I was recently informed that ... the fraternity would eventually be reinstated.”

Mulinix-Ewert said, “Of course, part of the reason this is happening is because Mr. Shumate made it clear to the university that he didn’t think that was a smart move.”

She said legal options being considered are an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claim and a discrimination lawsuit.

OU denied any plans to bring the fraternity back in its statement. “The SAE fraternity is not reopening a chapter at the University of Oklahoma and the audit and discovery of misuse of funds had nothing to do with this topic.”