(NAME-MCE) Panel Favors Suspension Over Dismissal for Ward Churchill

[Anselmo Villanueva]

May 17, 2007

Panel Favors Suspension Over Dismissal for Ward Churchill

A key faculty panel has recommended that Ward Churchill, the
controversial University of Colorado professor found guilty of
misconduct, be suspended but not fired, The Denver Post reported,
citing Churchill's lawyer. The university's president and board could
still move to fire Churchill without the committee's blessing, but
administrators at the university have placed a high priority on having
faculty members take the lead in investigating Churchill. Churchill's
lawyer did not reveal the rationale behind the faculty panel's
recommendation.

Complete story below.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5905525

Churchill's lawyer: Panel advises suspension
By Electa Draper Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 05/16/2007 02:24:46 AM MDT

The attorney for University of Colorado ethnic-studies professor Ward
Churchill said Tuesday that the committee reviewing his academic
misconduct case has recommended a one-year suspension rather than
dismissal.

"We feel any discipline is not warranted, but at least (the committee
members are) moving in the right direction," said Churchill attorney
David Lane. "This will make it more difficult for Hank Brown and the
regents to fire him."

The Privilege and Tenure Committee on May 8 gave its report to CU
president Hank Brown, who has 15 business days to consider the case
record. He could advise firing Churchill, closing the case, or another
punishment short of termination.

The chairman of the committee, CU-Denver math professor Weldon
Lodwick, said he could not comment.

Churchill has been accused of plagiarizing, fabricating and falsifying
material in his research and writing.

If the committee recommends anything short of firing and Brown agrees,
the case is closed. If Brown recommends firing but the committee
disagrees, he can return its report.

The committee then has 15 business days to produce a second report.

If Brown still supports firing, he would send a recommendation to the
Board of Regents. Churchill would have 20 business days to request a
private board hearing.

Staff writer Electa Draper can be reached at 303-954-1276 or
edraper at denverpost.com.