A faculty grievance committee at Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, is calling for the reinstatement of an education professor who was fired for using a racial slur in class, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. The faculty committee concluded that Gary Shank’s decision to use the N-word in a child and adolescent psychology class was “misguided” but “not malicious.”
The committee faulted Shank's "extremely poor judgment" but concluded that "while sanction of Dr. Shank’s behavior is warranted, it does not reach the level requiring dismissal."
A Duquesne spokeswoman said the university’s president would review the faculty committee’s report and its recommendations.
Shank was dismissed by Duquesne in October after he told a class he was giving them permission to use the N-word, “because we’re using the word in a pedagogical sense.” He went on to cite examples of phrases incorporating the N-word that he said were commonly used in his youth.
Opinions on Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed’s Blog U
Inside Higher Ed Careers
Hiring? Post A Job Today!
Browse Faculty Jobs
Browse Administrative Jobs
Browse Executive Administration Jobs
College Pages
Popular Right Now
8 Ways to Improve Your Online Course | Higher Ed Gamma
Long-term online learning in pandemic may impact students' well-being
How professors can and should combat linguistic prejudice in their classes (opinion)
Wellness and Mental Health in 2020 Online Learning
10 strategies to support students and help them learn during the coronavirus crisis (opinion)
7 Answers to 7 Questions About Online Education From a Japanese Media Company | Learning Innovation
How to write an effective diversity statement (essay)
Live Updates: Latest News on Coronavirus and Higher Education
We have retired comments and introduced Letters to the Editor. Letters may be sent to [email protected].
Read the Letters to the Editor »