Alex grew up on the docks of Brooklyn, NY in a poor family. Alex loved school and he did very well in his classes. His grades and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores were very high. Several college offered hun a scholarship. He accepted one from an Ivy League university. After earning top grades in the undergraduate program, the university offered Alex another scholarship to medical school, Alex completed his training with honors. After completing his training he interviewed for a faculty position. The interview went well but Alex was not offered the position, even though he was well qualified. When he spoke to Human Resources personnel, he was informed that while he was obviously intelligent and well educated, he did not not cone across that way. Alex has maintained his New York street accent and is proud of it$.$ He has been told that he should "speak proper English" in order to get ahead and not come across as uneducated. Alex wants to be true to his roots, so he maintains his accents.

Based on the information provided, did the hiring university discriminate against Alex based on his accent? If so$,$ do they have a valid reason as students may not see him as educated or qualified?

If you were Alex, what would you have said to the person in Human Resources?

If you were Alex's friend, what would you suggest he do on his next interview?