MADISON, Wis. -- A judge has delayed a civil trial for a former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater dean who claims he was audited and demoted because of his race.

U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller set the trial in the racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Howard Ross for Feb. 8. The trial had been set for next month, but lawyers representing university officials asked for a delay.

Stadtmueller ordered both sides to "make a good faith effort" at settling the case.

Ross, who is black, was removed as dean in 2006 and demoted to a job as a professor after an audit questioned numerous purchases. He contends that he was unfairly singled out by a racist auditor.

Stadtmueller has ruled the university failed to prove any of the purchases were for his personal benefit.