Ward Churchill, chair of the ethnic studies department at the University of Colorado at Boulder, today offered his resignation as department chair in a letter to Arts and Sciences Dean Todd Gleeson and Gleeson accepted his resignation, effective Jan. 31. Churchill will continue as a member of the faculty in ethnic studies.
"I believe it is in the best interests of both the university and Professor Churchill that he step away from his administrative role in the department at this time," said Gleeson. Churchill's term as department chair was previously scheduled to expire in June.
CU-Boulder Interim Chancellor Phil DiStefano said he feels Churchill's decision is the right one. "While Professor Churchill has the constitutional right to express his political views, his essay on 9/11 has outraged and appalled us and the general public."
In his letter to Gleeson, Churchill said, "While I am immensely proud of my administrative accomplishments in the chair's position over the past two-and-one-half years, it is my considered view that the present political climate has rendered me a liability in terms of representing either my department, the college or the university in this or any other administrative capacity."
Gleeson will meet with the department faculty as soon as possible to discuss the appointment of a new chair.
Memorandum
To: Todd Gleeson, Dean
College of Arts and Sciences
Fr: Ward Churchill, Chair
Dept. of Ethnic Studies
Re: My Resignation as Dept. Chair
Date: January 31, 2005
Given the furor which has arisen over the past week concerning my 2001 essay, "Some People Push Back," I feel it inappropriate that I continue in my position as Chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies.
I am therefore submitting my resignation, effective at the end of the working day today.
While I am immensely proud of my administrative accomplishments in the chair's position over the past two-and-half years, it is my considered view that the present political climate has rendered me a liability in terms of representing either my department, the college, or the university in this or any other administrative capacity.
My decision to resign immediately is therefore subject to neither reconsideration nor negotiation.
Please understand that there is nothing at all personal involved in this. It has been a genuine pleasure working with you over the past couple of years, and-as a rank-and-file faculty member--I very much look forward to our continued interaction in the years ahead.
Cc: Joyce Nielsen, Assoc. Dean
Social Sciences
Also see Ward Churchill's Press Release