More breaking news on Ward Churchill's possible and hopeful termination as a college professor at the University of Colorado.
They wanted to make one thing very clear:
The content and rhetoric of Professor Churchill’s essay on 9/11 and other works that we examined were protected by the First Amendment.
On to the reasons stated for the recommendation to terminate:
Allegations regarding research misconduct, including plagiarism, fabrication and misuse of others ‘ work, had sufficient merit to warrant further inquiry, and they were referred to the Standing Committee on Research Misconduct.
It appears that lying to gain employment is no big deal. But lying for credibility and 'scholarship' are verboten:
Questions raised about Professor Churchill’s possible misrepresentation of his ethnicity in order to gain employment advantage were reviewed, resulting in a finding of no action warranted. However, questions raised in regard to the allegation of misrepresentation of ethnicity to gain credibility and an audience for scholarship were also reviewed, and the Committee felt that such misrepresentation might constitute research misconduct and failure to meet the standards of professional integrity.
The chancellor is making it painstakingly clear that this is not an issue of free speech, but of responsibility and integrity. Hopefully there is enough chain mail around this recommendation to deflect the expected lawsuit by Churchill.
Just when we think it's the end of the matter, it's not:
Now, let me briefly explain the process as we go forward. Professor Churchill may request within 10 days to have President Brown or me forward this recommendation to the Faculty Senate Committee on Privilege and Tenure. If Professor Churchill does so, a special panel will then conduct hearings about this matter and make a recommendation to the president about whether the grounds for dismissal are supported. The handout you received outlines more detail about this process.
Pull up a chair, this is going to take awhile. It wouldn't surprise me if we had a twist ending to this by the "special panel" that Churchill no doubt will invoke; they may not see his behavior as research misconduct, but merely as misguided and well-intentioned. Slap on the wrist, and Interim Chancellor DiStefano will be off the hook.
Tip: LGF
Posted by Mutti at June 26, 2006 04:05 PM | TrackBack
