Matthew Garrett, a former tenured history professor at Bakersfield College, has been awarded a multi-million dollar settlement after being disciplined for criticizing the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Garrett was fired in 2023 following accusations of racial discrimination and “dishonesty” for disagreeing with his colleagues—accusations that were later proven untrue. The school has now agreed to a $2.4 million settlement.
According to the settlement, Garrett will receive the money over 20 years in monthly payments. Additionally, he will receive an immediate $154,520 as compensation for back wages and medical benefits since his dismissal.
“After five years of administrative misconduct, a decisive courtroom display exonerated me of all allegations and exposed that Kern Community College District engaged in flagrant retaliation for my questioning of partisan policies and wasteful expenditures,” Garrett told The College Fix.
The controversy surrounding Garrett began in 2019 when he defended free speech on campus, even if deemed offensive. He also questioned grant funds being allocated to a “social justice agenda” on campus, which resulted in the district interpreting Garrett’s claims as an accusation of misappropriating funds, leading to an administrative determination against him.
Garrett and fellow professor Erin Miller later sued the school district, claiming their actions were retaliatory in response to criticisms of social justice initiatives on campus.
In October 2022, Garrett faced additional backlash after he criticized a colleague’s proposal to create a racial climate task force, leading to accusations that he insulted the professor “from a place of hate.” Garrett explained to Fox News that the claims of racism against him were “completely fabricated.”
“Facing an imminent ruling in my favor and the prospect of paying millions of dollars in damages, KCCD had only one viable option: settlement,” Garrett added in his statement to The College Fix. “To my colleagues at Bakersfield College and nationwide, I say: Keep the faith; we are winning the battle, one case at a time.”
