Former UOG administrator plans to file federal lawsuit over alleged misconduct

A former University of Guam employee is fighting to reclaim his job after he alleges being unfairly terminated. Norman Analista, previously a director of development, alumni, and foundation relations at UOG, is now taking legal action in local court and advancing a federal lawsuit.

The university's board of regents voted to terminate and ban a long-time administrator from the Mangilao campus, marking Friday as Analista's last day as a UOG employee. This decision comes after Analista filed a grievance against president Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez. He claims he was wrongfully terminated without due process and alleges Dr Enriquez of other misconduct.

Analista also accuses her of gender discrimination and retaliation and claims he was banned from campus after filing a grievance despite having no history of aggression or violence.  Analista now has the green light from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to pursue a federal lawsuit within 90 days. His attorney, Minakshi Hemlani, confirms they are prepared to move forward. 

“Because he admitted to being stressed and seeking therapy and requesting remote work, Mr. Analista was then banned from the university campus under these purported concerns of the increase of school violence and to protect others on campus," Hemlani explained.

 “He felt forced to submit a document from his therapist saying that he was not a threat to others–but it made no difference–and he’s still banned for the UOG campus.”

Earlier this week, Hemlani also appearing in local court seeking judicial review of UOG's ad hoc committee’s apparent dismissal of three of Analista’s grievance claims deemed as untimely ahead of Thursday’s UOG board of regents meeting, though the university maintained that decision was not final. 

Hemlani continued,  “What happened in the past is that the board of regents would issue resolutions regarding procedures, including the appointment of a special investigator, and that didn’t happen." She added, “We’re also challenging whether the University sufficiently promulgated rules and regulations they were required to under the law.”

On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Elyze Iriarte later gave UOG until next Friday to file a motion to dismiss Analista’s petition.

In response, UOG officials stated: “The University of Guam and the board of regents are committed to upholding internal processes and ensuring a fair and thorough review of all grievances and complaints, including those related to equal employment opportunity. As this matter involves ongoing personnel and civil proceedings, the university is not able to provide further comments at this time.”