Auburn University is facing a lawsuit filed by current employee Henry Moreman. Moreman is suing on the claim that the University has discriminated him based on his race. The suit is being filed under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination on the basis of race, “color,” national origin and sex.
Moreman's case against Auburn University comes months before the United States Supreme Court ruling to make it easier to claim "reverse discrimination" in employment. On June 5, 2025, the SCOTUS decided a case regarding an Ohio woman who claims she didn’t get a job and was demoted from her position because she was straight. The decision in her favor was unanimous.
Moreman, a White man, has been employed by Auburn since 2018; in November 2024, Moreman was demoted from his position as manager of maintenance. This demotion caused Moreman to file this suit in February 2025. However, Auburn cites Moreman as violating their policy on age discrimination.
Auburn's equal employment statement reads, "Auburn University is committed to providing a working and academic environment free from prohibited discrimination and harassment and to fostering a nurturing and vibrant community founded upon the fundamental dignity and worth of all its members. Auburn University prohibits harassment of its students and employees based on protected classes and works to eliminate prohibited behavior from its academics and employment through corrective measures and education."
Moreman attempted to repeal this citation, but the revision was denied by the university.
When asked for a statement about the upcoming suit, Auburn University Executive Director of Public Affairs Jennifer Adams replied to The Plainsman, stating, “Auburn University does not comment on pending litigation.”
When asked for a statement on behalf of Moreman, Gregory O. Wiggins, Moreman's attorney who specializes in Civil Rights, did not respond.
When looking at the breakdown of Auburn’s employment, as of 2024, there are 297 total service and, or, maintenance workers. This 297 can be broken into race, citing 109 employees as Black and 170 White.
In his filing, Moreman claims that his demotion makes him ineligible for positions with supervisory capacity until 2029.
The case document reads, "16. Plaintiff’s Corrective Acton Report/Final Written Reprimand issued on November 5, 2024, demoted him from his position of Facilities Project Manager IV to ‘a more suitable role within Facilities Management that does not involve or require supervision of other employees.’ Furthermore, Plaintiff will not be eligible for any job with supervisory capacity or authority for a period of five (5) years or until November 5, 2029. This demotion and restriction to any position with supervisory capacity and authority greatly affects plaintiff’s future chance of promotion, future earnings, benefits as well as his retirement.”
When looking at the Alabama Open Financial reports, it has been reported that in the fiscal year for 2024, Moreman earned $115, 193.30 and in the current fiscal year, Moreman has earned $71,195.81. For one check on Sept. 30, 2024, Moreman earned $9,803.33; one check from April 30, 2025, Moreman earned $10,170.83, with the alleged “demotion” in place.
Moreman’s case is set for December 2026 as a jury trial.
This is a developing story and The Plainsman will update it as the case unfolds.
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Brychelle Brooks, senior majoring in public and professional writing with a minor in information systems, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since August 2023. She previously served as the Campus Reporter, Opinion Editor and Newsletter Editor. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief.
