FARGO (AP) - A North Dakota State University professor accuses university officials of retaliation for a racial discrimination claim he won nearly 10 years ago.

Sam Kow-Ching Chang, a native of Taiwan who has worked for NDSU since 1984, says administrators have cut his raises, kept him off important committees and removed research equipment and lab space. NDSU officials have denied his claims.

An NDSU committee of four faculty members and one staff member began hearing the case Thursday. The group will make a recommendation to President Joseph Chapman.

Chang said NDSU Provost Craig Schnell "was trying to make the environment miserable for me so I couldn't work."

In documents filed in the case, NDSU said administrators' action had nothing to do with Chang's discrimination claim. School officials also said Chang would not have won the 1998 claim if the committee hearing the grievance had received all the information.

"While Dr. Chang is a valued member of the university, so too are other talented faculty members who received similar salary increases to that of Dr. Chang," NDSU's statement said.

Chang has long had disputes with administrators about the use of research equipment and lab space, even before his claim of discrimination, and he was told to develop a "more sharing attitude," NDSU said.

In 2003, Chang's lab was renovated for more than $21,000, and in 2005, he received $75,000 in equipment, of which NDSU paid for half, NDSU said.

Chang specializes in studying soybeans and developing varieties that can be grown in North Dakota and marketed to Asia for soy milk and tofu. His accomplishments include an award for outstanding research.

In a letter of support, Darren Kadlec, the chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council, said Chang and his research are internationally renowned.