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Ex-Professor Suing UCF Over Nursing Textbook

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — UCF is getting sued in federal court over a nursing textbook. A professor claims she was fired because she spoke out about the book's lessons, which she felt used racial-profiling to deal with patients.

The book, "Guide To Culturally Competent Health Care," is creating a storm on the UCF nursing campus. Former UCF School of Nursing Professor Dr. Nancy Rudner Lugo filed a federal lawsuit, because she says she was fired after speaking out about the book.

Nursing student Jennifer Armada told WFTV she wasn't offended by the book.

"Vietnamese eat a lot of rice. That was a culture I was assigned to. As an Asian, I eat a lot of rice too, but a lot of Asians don't know it turns into sugar," Armada explained.

In court documents, Lugo said she opposed the use of the book in UCF's nursing curriculum and that's why she wasn't renewed, but UCF disagrees.

UCF says the textbook has received national awards and defends its use. WFTV reviewed the book to see why the former professor was so offended.

In the chapter on people of Cuban heritage, the book states, "Being overweight is seen as positive, healthy and sexually attractive." Then, in the chapter on people of African-American heritage, it states, "Because significant numbers of African-Americans are poor and live in inner cities, they tend to concentrate their efforts on day-to-day survival."

Lugo stated these statements were racial and stereotypical.

UCF also responded to the accusations saying it has not seen the lawsuit, but believes it is without merit. A spokesperson would not go into why Lugo was fired because of pending litigation.

Lugo's attorney said his client was unavailable for comment.

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