Churchill decision "within three weeks"

The Post has the AP story:

A University of Colorado professor who once compared some Sept. 11 victims to a Nazi could learn within three weeks whether he can return to the classroom - or whether the university will pursue sanctions including dismissal.

University President Hank Brown received a report Tuesday from a faculty committee regarding its hearing on alleged research misconduct by ethnic studies professor Ward Churchill.

Brown has 15 business days to determine how to proceed, the university said. If Brown decides the are no grounds for dismissal, he could return Churchill to the classroom and close the case, or he could recommend sanctions such as suspension, school spokeswoman Michele McKinney said.

The Privilege and Tenure Committee's report was not publicly released because it was considered a personnel matter, McKinney said. When reached by phone, Churchill declined to discuss its contents but called it "a mixed bag."

Hmmmm.

Churchill contended Brown is biased and should recuse himself, citing Brown's work on the American Council of Trustees and Alumni whose leaders have called Churchill's statements outrageous but have defended his right to free speech and
due process.

Don't think he will, but another argument for Churchill to raise in the lawsuit.

The Washington-based education group also issued a report titled "How Many Ward Churchills?" which questioned how faculty like Churchill could be objective in the classroom.

McKinney said Brown years ago served on a non-paid advisory committee for the group and he had no role in the report, and had not seen a copy.

"It would be inappropriate for the president to comment on personnel matters while they are under review," McKinney said in regards to Brown recusing himself.

When asked whether he wanted to return to a CU classroom, Churchill said: "That's neither here nor there. I have a right to return. I don't negotiate my rights and I don't forfeit my rights."

Right of return. Where's his kaffiya? But it doesn't sound like he would. Probably making too much money on the rubber-sushi circuit.

Churchill's fate may remain in limbo if Brown determines there are grounds for dismissal and the hearing panel did not. If the hearing panel did not concur, the president would return the case to the panel for reconsideration with his comments. The panel would then have 15 days to issue a second report.

At the end of a series of steps, if the Board of Regents receives a recommendation of dismissal from Brown, Churchill would be given a chance to respond.

Churchill also could request a hearing before the regents, whose decision would be final.

Final. I like the sound of that.

Clear enough. What's not so clear is why they gave themselves all kinds of extra time they shouldn't have to finish the process of firing Churchill.