Post by blackcrowheart on Jun 23, 2008 16:54:39 GMT -5
CU panel backs suspension, not firing, for Churchill
By Dan Elliott, Associated Press
May 17, 2007
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5541107,00.html
A University of Colorado committee has recommended that a professor
accused of faulty research be suspended for one year rather than fired.
Ward Churchill, a tenured professor of ethnic studies, touched off a
national firestorm with an essay that compared some of the 2001 World
Trade Center victims to Adolf Eichmann, a key planner of the Holocaust.
It was some of his other work, however, that led an interim chancellor of
the Boulder campus and another committee to recommend Churchill be fired.
The professor was accused of misrepresenting the effects of federal laws
on American Indians, wrongly claiming evidence indicated Capt. John Smith
exposed Indians to smallpox in the 1600s and claiming the work of a
Canadian environmental group as his own.
Churchill has denied wrongdoing. After the firing recommendations, he
requested a review by the university faculty's Privilege and Tenure
Committee.
Three of the committee's five members recommended suspension, according to
a copy of the committee report provided to The Associated Press on
Wednesday. The other two members said he should be fired.
Churchill's work was "below minimum standards of professional integrity
and . . . requires severe sanctions," the committee concluded.
It also said Churchill "committed multiple acts of plagiarism, fabrication
and falsification."
In a list of arguments against dismissal, however, it said his case "shows
misbehavior, but not the worst possible misbehavior."
The committee said Churchill did not fabricate data to obtain grant money,
did not endanger people's lives by ignoring research standards and did not
damage the progress of important research.
The report said it seemed clear that the investigation of Churchill was
begun in response to the "firestorm" over his Sept. 11 essay, but added,
"We are not persuaded that it was motivated by a desire to 'get' professor
Churchill."
The committee said Churchill did not prove his contention that the
university was selectively enforcing its rules and denying him his due
process rights.
CU President Hank Brown has until May 29 to decide what punishment, if
any, Churchill should receive.
Churchill's attorney, David Lane, said Churchill will file a civil rights
lawsuit if Brown recommends any punishment.
What's next?
• CU President Hank Brown has until May 29 to decide what punishment, if
any, Ward Churchill should receive.
• The university released a statement saying Brown will consider "the
entire record of the case, including the recommendations of the various
committees that investigated the allegations."
*
By Dan Elliott, Associated Press
May 17, 2007
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5541107,00.html
A University of Colorado committee has recommended that a professor
accused of faulty research be suspended for one year rather than fired.
Ward Churchill, a tenured professor of ethnic studies, touched off a
national firestorm with an essay that compared some of the 2001 World
Trade Center victims to Adolf Eichmann, a key planner of the Holocaust.
It was some of his other work, however, that led an interim chancellor of
the Boulder campus and another committee to recommend Churchill be fired.
The professor was accused of misrepresenting the effects of federal laws
on American Indians, wrongly claiming evidence indicated Capt. John Smith
exposed Indians to smallpox in the 1600s and claiming the work of a
Canadian environmental group as his own.
Churchill has denied wrongdoing. After the firing recommendations, he
requested a review by the university faculty's Privilege and Tenure
Committee.
Three of the committee's five members recommended suspension, according to
a copy of the committee report provided to The Associated Press on
Wednesday. The other two members said he should be fired.
Churchill's work was "below minimum standards of professional integrity
and . . . requires severe sanctions," the committee concluded.
It also said Churchill "committed multiple acts of plagiarism, fabrication
and falsification."
In a list of arguments against dismissal, however, it said his case "shows
misbehavior, but not the worst possible misbehavior."
The committee said Churchill did not fabricate data to obtain grant money,
did not endanger people's lives by ignoring research standards and did not
damage the progress of important research.
The report said it seemed clear that the investigation of Churchill was
begun in response to the "firestorm" over his Sept. 11 essay, but added,
"We are not persuaded that it was motivated by a desire to 'get' professor
Churchill."
The committee said Churchill did not prove his contention that the
university was selectively enforcing its rules and denying him his due
process rights.
CU President Hank Brown has until May 29 to decide what punishment, if
any, Churchill should receive.
Churchill's attorney, David Lane, said Churchill will file a civil rights
lawsuit if Brown recommends any punishment.
What's next?
• CU President Hank Brown has until May 29 to decide what punishment, if
any, Ward Churchill should receive.
• The university released a statement saying Brown will consider "the
entire record of the case, including the recommendations of the various
committees that investigated the allegations."
*