Former GSU director, graduate student sue college

By Laura Diamond

For the AJC

A former Georgia State University program director and a former doctoral student are suing the college, accusing officials of discrimination.

Slma Shelbayah, a former Arabic instructor and doctoral student, contends she was harassed and faced anti-Muslim bias. Shelbayah said a professor repeatedly asked whether she was “carrying any bombs” on her body or under her hijab, an Isalmic head scarf.

Shelbayah filed a grievance in 2008 with help from Dona Stewart, the director of Georgia State’s Middle East Institute. Both women contend they faced retaliation.

Shelbayah said she was told she could no longer be a doctoral student and work as an instructor. She also was told she could no longer serve as a director of a study-abroad program.

Stewart said after she refused to fire Shelbayah, officials said they were unhappy with Stewart’s work. She said complaints were not raised before.

Attorneys for both women filed the suit last week. The women earlier filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and  received right to sue letters over the summer, said James Radford, their attorney.

Georgia State officials denied all allegations, college spokeswoman Andrea Jones said. She previously said Stewart was promoted in April.

Shelbayah no longer teaches at Georgia State. Stewart resigned as the institute’s director a few months ago. Stewart, a geography professor, was offered paid leave from Georgia State and but took unpaid leave for this academic year.