Testimony on Ward Churchill's Bid to Get Job Back
Ward Churchill and the University of Colorado each had a chance Wednesday to debate before a state judge the question of whether Churchill should regain his teaching position at the university's Boulder campus. A jury in April found that the university illegally fired him, following accusations of research misconduct, but under Colorado law, the judge decides whether he gets to return to the Boulder faculty. The Daily Camera ran an account all day on the testimony. Emma Perez, chair of ethnic studies, said that the department wanted Churchill back and that students would flock to his courses. She said it was "ridiculous" to say that Churchill would tarnish the department's reputation. Phil DiStefano, chancellor of the campus, testified against Churchill's reinstatement, saying that it would be more difficult to enforce academic integrity rules for violations by students or faculty members with Churchill back on the faculty. A ruling is expected next week.
