Univ of Colorado To Say “So Long” To Churchill

Posted on June 27, 2006

Cross Posted from Gribbit’s Word
The controversial Ethnic Studies Professor at the Univ. of Colorado who referred to those who perished in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 as “Little Eichmans”, is to be dismissed by the University’s Interim Chancellor for academic misconduct.

Ward Churchill has displayed “a pattern of research misconduct committed over a period of time,” Interim Chancellor Philip DiStefano said.

Churchill’s attorney, David Lane, said Churchill will appeal through university channels, but does not think the school will reverse the firing.

“I can’t imagine that CU is going to suddenly decide the First Amendment deserves some respect,” Lane said, adding that a lawsuit would be filed if the firing is upheld. “I trust juries to make these decisions, not bureaucrats,” he said.

The tenured professor brought national attention upon himself with his hateful comments justifying the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in 2001 by claiming that the victims brought the attacks upon themselves and were legitimate military targets. This led to his writings and other work to be scrutinized which in turn led to a charge from a Canadian professor who claimed that Churchill used some of her work in an unethical manner. Apparently an academic committee agreed and recommended dismissal.

In an essay written shortly after the 2001 attacks, Churchill described some of the victims in the World Trade Center as “little Eichmanns,” a reference to Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann. The essay was largely ignored until January 2005, when it came to light before Churchill was to speak at Hamilton College in upstate New York.

The essay caused an outcry and launched a national debate, with Churchill held up alternatively as a pillar of free speech rights or a symptom of liberal academia run amok. University officials concluded he could not be dismissed because of First Amendment protections, but they did order an investigation into allegations of academic misconduct.

The school’s committee on research misconduct last month concluded Churchill “has committed serious, repeated, and deliberate research misconduct,” findings DiStefano agreed with.

Churchill used his presumed ethnic heritage as a Native American to attain his position at the Univ. of Colorado as an Ethnic Studies Professor. However, his ethnic heritage cannot be proven. He has produced a membership card for a legitimate Native American Tribe but the Tribal elders all claim that it was an honorary membership card and since has been recalled.

Churchill has used his reputation as an Ethnic Studies Professor and Native America to secure speaking engagements at other Universities and Colleges, an act which has further enraged the American public based on his comments after September 11th. The American people find it incomprehensible that he should be in a position to influence the thinking of young adults.

Republican Gov. Bill Owens, who has called for Churchill’s dismissal for months, praised DiStefano’s decision.

“If a university is a marketplace of ideas, then Mr. Churchill is the rotten fruit among hundreds of good apples. Hopefully, we can soon say good riddance to Ward Churchill once and for all,” Owens said. SOURCE

In the wake of these outrageous comments by Churchill, we’ve had numerous reports of teachers even on the high school and elementary school levels injecting their personal political beliefs into the classroom. I am glad that the Univ. of Colorado has decided to put an end to their relationship with Churchill. And I also find it difficult to believe that another institution would take a risk on this volatile individual. In other words, stick a fork in him… he’s done.

It is my personal belief that the tenure system breeds mediocrity and irresponsible behavior by teachers and should be abolished.

See The Denver Channel and the University of Colorado’s website.

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